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The Black Hills were historically managed by wildfire and the mountain pine beetle. There 

 is no reason to believe that natural management in Wilderness areas would differ, nor that 

 it would magically spare our forest, or our local residents and visitors, from those 

 catastrophes. When I first moved here, in 1976, there were few roads that you could drive 

 without seeing slopes of bug-killed trees. The Forest Service then began a very pro-active 

 management plan, and because of this management we have not had an uncontrollable 

 outbreak since that time. I firmly believe that if we slow this type of forest management, 

 we will return to management by natural destruction. I ask that you remember well the 

 1988 fires of Yellowstone, which were put out not by man but by snow. Those fires 

 burned enough timber to meet the needs of this country for three years. That, to me, is a 

 crime and a shame, and I would not like to see that waste repeated in this area. Logging, 

 forbidden in Wilderness areas, gives \is healthy trees that are resistant to disease and 

 infestations, stands where wildfires will bum cooler and slower than in unmanaged 

 stands, and access roads that enable firefighters to respond quickly. 



A substantial part of our local economies depend upon people being able to recreate in 

 our Forest. Tourists will not drive here to see scorched trees and ground. Neither is 

 Wilderness beneficial for wildlife. One hundred years ago when natural catastrophes 

 struck, wildlife could simply move to a different area until their original habitat was 

 restored. Because of human cities and suburbs, wildlife habitat areas today are restricted. 

 If their habitat is destroyed, they will be subjected to cruel and unnecessary starvation. 



Expansion of the Wilderness system would also mean a tragic loss in the amount of timber 

 available for products, not just for our generation but for those to come. The growing of 

 trees for timber is a long-term committment. The seedlings of today will be lumber for my 



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