Press Release

To the Jefferson County Journal:

I am responding to Russell Weiss’ letter regarding the Healthy Forest Initiative that appeared in the March 17 edition of your newspaper.

The preservation community has employed scare tactics to defend their position on logging on a continual basis, yet have not addressed the real issues identified by scientists and foresters. When forests are overcrowded, the smaller trees do not receive enough water and nutrients from the soil, there is limited room to grow and the overstory from bigger trees keeps sunlight from the smaller ones.  Too many small trees choke the forest, acting as basic firewood once a fire begins.

Mr. Weiss incorrectly states, “the HFI signed by Bush will allow timber interests to cut down the larger mature trees and leave behind thinned-out, fire-prone areas.”  In reality, the HFI has plenty of regulations regarding only cutting trees small in diameter.  The larger trees will become even more healthy because they will have more room to grow and receive more nutrients from the ground. Consequently, these trees are less susceptible to disease, droughts and insects.

            We must compliment the President in his leadership to base his decision on the science instead of going along with the “politically” sensible thing to do.

The United States Forest Service has stated that one-third of forests are in danger of major fire damage, and another one-third are susceptible to disease.  Missouri’s forests are rated at the same scientific levels in regards to being susceptible to fire danger as the forests in California; and we all know their record of devastating forest fires.

Sir, please get your facts straight and do the proper research before your next public comments regarding the forest industry. 

Cory T. Ridenhour

Executive Director

Missouri Forest Products Asssociation