Letter to the Editor - Dec. 11

Support Healthy Forests

As commissioners for Montana’s forest counties, we know firsthand that the sharp decline in timber harvests and timber jobs since the early 1990s has been devastating to our communities. Our forests are at greater risk for burning, our remaining mills are struggling to survive without a predictable and productive timber supply, and many of our counties face high unemployment.

We strongly believe Congress must establish a long-term solution that effectively addresses these challenges. That’s why we’re thankful that the House of Representatives recently passed Montana Republican Congressman Steve Daines’ Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act with bipartisan support.

Daines’ bill addresses the core barriers to responsible timber management. It discourages habitual litigation by giving fringe groups that frequently sue some “skin in the game.” Specifically, it requires complainants to post a bond prior to filing suit and to cover the legal expenses of the Forest Service if the agency prevails in court.

Further, the bill brings much needed flexibility and balance to the environmental analysis of timber projects. It maintains National Environmental Policy Act analysis and Endangered Species Act consultants, but it streamlines these processes to help ensure that timber projects are not suffocated by red tape. These reforms will increase timber harvests, which will improve forest health and protect the environment from the indiscriminate and harsh consequences of fire.

The reforms are crucial because 40 percent of the recent Forest Service timber sales in Region 1 have been appealed or litigated leading a top Forest Service official in Washington to acknowledge that obstructionist tactics have played a “huge role’ in stalling responsible timber sales. The Forest Service, meanwhile, is currently forced to spend much of their time and money “bullet-proofing” environmental analyses due to the threat of appeals and lawsuits. In fact, we understand that the agency spends over 60 percent of its budget on NEPA analysis alone.

The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act would lift these needless barriers and empower the Forest Service to implement projects that help prevent catastrophic fires, address insect infestation, expands recreational opportunities, and creates thousands of jobs in our counties.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that legislation will more than double timber harvests nationwide and substantially increase the value of timber sales. As a national solution, the bill covers all 10 of the national forests in Montana, ensuring that all of our forest counties enjoy these positive results.

In addition, Daines’ legislation extends the critically important Secure Rural Schools program through fiscal year 2014. Following the devastating decline in timber production and related jobs, SRS was established in 2000 as a short-term solution to compensate counties with significant national forest land for their loss in local tax base. The program provides funds for important services, such as our children’s educations, road maintenance, and wildfire suppression and prevention. The additional year of SRS payments is crucial because it will take time to fully implement the increased timber requirements under the bill.

Forest counties have historically received 25 percent of Forest Service receipts under a promise made by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. We are hopeful the increased timber harvesting required by H.R. 1526 will once again generate sufficient revenues for our counties.

As county commissioners, we are ready to have healthy forests for our children and grandchildren, spend less money on fire suppression, and return Montana back to a great place to work and play. We believe Daines’ Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities would achieve these goals, and we urge the Senate to promptly pass it. This letter was also signed by 20 western Montana County Commissioners.

Sincerely,

Board of Commissioners

Sanders County, Montana

Anthony B. Cox,

Presiding Officer

Carol Brooker,

Commissioner

Glen E. Magera,

Commissioner

Remember Pearl Harbor

Editor:

Last week, a purportedly “great man” passed in South Africa. Lost in all the swooning and maudlin media salvations, was the 72nd anniversary of a war that cost tens of millions of lives during, and many 10’s of millions subsequent to it. Pearl Harbor was attacked on the 7th of December 1941. Yet, media links did not mention it, while overloading the internet and paper with commentary and tears for a dead leader of South Africa.

I find it appalling. How would it have been for Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to NOT mention the promise made “four score and 7 years ago”?

I suppose we should have known this would happen, that generations after the “greatest generation” (so dubbed by a liberal media maven) saved us from imperial socialism, that we would little note the event or day.

Today, the great republic of the United States in America is seemingly, blindingly, on track to create an imperial government which would put to shame what Japan sought to impose! Reflect. Learn. If you fail to learn your history, your governments will ensure that you are not able to live the false promises all those petit bourgeois tyrants seek you to believe. Audacity of hope, indeed! Shameful.

Jim Greaves,

Thompson Falls

Help Letter Carriers

Winter is back in full swing, with significant snow and ice for all of us to battle.

That means slippery surfaces, which can be dangerous and costly for homeowners, as well as for their visitors -- including their letter carrier. By clearing a path when the snow arrives, accidents can be prevented.

We need our customers’ help. Letter carriers have hurt their knees or backs, or even suffered broken bones from falls on slippery surfaces.

Letter carriers are instructed to use good judgment when attempting to deliver to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared. They are not allowed to dismount to make curb deliveries when the approach to the mailbox is hazardous because of snow or ice.

No one wants to inconvenience a customer. But we have to take every possible step to ensure the safety of our employees.

Some tips:

• Customers are asked to clear enough snow from curbside boxes -- at least six feet on both sides of the mailbox -- so the carrier may approach and leave without backing up his or her vehicle.

• Walkways need to be cleared so as to allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips and falls.

• Steps – especially painted wood -- must be kept clear of ice and snow and in good repair.

• Overhangs must be clear and free of snow and ice to avoid injury.

The best cure for an injury is to not have it occur in the first place. Please help your letter carrier provide you with the best possible service – safely.

Sincerely,

Juanita Deardorff

Postmaster

Plains