Scientists oppose logging bills in Congress
Source: Associated Press
Scientists oppose logging bills in Congress
By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press | November 2, 2013 | Updated: November 2, 2013 12:12pm
RENO, Nev. (AP) — More than 200 biologists, ecologists and other scientists are urging Congress to defeat legislation they say would destroy critical wildlife habitat by setting aside U.S. environmental laws to speed logging of burned trees at Yosemite National Park and other national forests and wilderness areas across the West.
The experts say two measures pushed by pro-logging interests ignore a growing scientific consensus that the burned landscape plays a critical role in forest regeneration and is home to many birds, bats and other species found nowhere else.
"We urge you to consider what the science is telling us: that post-fire habitat created by fire, including patches of severe fire, are ecological treasures rather than ecological catastrophes, and that post-fire logging does far more harm than good to the nation's public lands," they wrote in a letter mailed to members of Congress Friday.
One bill, authored by Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., would make logging a requirement on some public forestland, speed timber sales and discourage legal challenges.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/science/article/Scientists-oppose-logging-bills-in-Congress-4949348.php
= new reply since forum marked as read
by ignoring scientists and bowing to corporate wishes on environmental matters equals good public policy? 
