Protecting Natural Resources

Re “Facing Nature’s Limits,” editorial, Jan. 3: It is time for us as a society to do whatever it takes to protect natural areas and the diversity of native organisms these areas support.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s estimate that half of public “grazing lands” are ecologically distressed is most certainly an underestimation. A primary reason for this enormous environmental problem is the BLM’s contention that livestock grazing is an appropriate activity in sensitive natural areas such as California’s arid grasslands and deserts.

Cattle and sheep do much more than simply eat grass. They erode soils, trample vegetation and damage wildlife habitats. They muck up wetlands and watercourses with fecal material. They disperse seeds of invasive alien plants. They alter nutrient availabilities within sensitive ecosystems.

“Grazing lands” should be valued for their vast, intrinsic beauty and ecological significance rather than for their convenient ability to grow hamburgers. Hamburgers at what cost?

PAULA M. SCHIFFMAN

Mission Hills

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I agree with the sentiments expressed in your editorial regarding the establishment of limits with respect to our natural resources. But you failed to reveal what’s driving these problems--popu- lation pressure.

If the public can’t link the demands of more people with the reality of having to catch more fish, for example, they won’t take seriously the need to restrict fish catches. Many will, as the result of the current ideological struggle regarding our federal government, dismiss such restrictions as being “controlling.” No doubt illegal use of these resources will grow, as the underlying issue of overpopulation is not understood.

Our nation desperately needs to discuss the issue of population growth and your omission of this linkage won’t help the discussion begin. Most of our politicians are reluctant to begin the debate since they tend to steer away from such misunderstood topics. But, as your editorial noted, the signs are clear that restrictions are needed, and so is the realization that our resources can’t support unlimited population growth.

STEVE FREDRICKSON

Santa Clarita