Forest Service and Timber Firms

Re “Forest Service Accused of Hampering Probes,” Jan. 16:

Clearly stated: California’s forest products companies decry timber theft from government or private lands. Individuals or companies convicted of doing so should be punished.

Your article refers to allegedly “cozy” relationships between timber companies and Forest Service employees. Indeed, many relationships have been fostered through years of contractual obligations, resulting in good jobs and affordable wood and paper products for every American. But that does not infer wrongdoing.

In fact, companies small and large risk millions of dollars in investment to utilize this renewable resource. Monies used to purchase government timber are returned to taxpayers in the form of reforestation, wildlife enhancement and recreational opportunities and local school funds. These mutual obligations are benefited from healthy relationships between the two contracting parties.

The Forest Service is a once-proud agency demoralized and strangled by regulations and frivolous litigation. Timber sales are at their lowest level since World War II. Forests continue to burn and rot while mills continue to lay off workers. So hamstrung are Forest Service officials in Northern California that logs already cut and stacked cannot be removed due to Fish and Wildlife Service regulations.

The Clinton Administration was found guilty for numerous violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act while drafting the failed forest plan for Northern California and the Northwest. At issue was the exclusive relationship Administration officials forged with environmentalists. Similarly, studies over future uses of the Sierra Nevada are stacked with anti-business academicians and bioregional government advocates while resource managers are ignored.

Timber theft is merely a symptom of a much greater dysfunctional cause.

DONN ZEA

Vice President, Industry Affairs

California Forestry Assn., Sacramento