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Leave Forests to Evolve

by Jim DiPeso, REP Policy Director
published in The Columbian (Vancouver, WA) on January 16, 2007

As Don Brunell says in his Jan. 9 column, "Burned forests still have economic value," nature has had its way with forests since time immemorial and will continue doing so. Unfortunately, when we try to outsmart nature through salvage logging and other misbegotten notions of improving forests, we end up outsmarting ourselves.

Salvage logging may be carried out with the best of intentions, but often leaves behind damaged soils, erosion, water pollution, invasive species, and flammable slash piles waiting for the next lightning strike or careless visitor.

Forests that evolved in the presence of periodic fires can return to health without our help. Learning to leave well enough alone will do more good for forests than clumsy interventions and will save taxpayers money in the bargain.