148 



logs to sell in log form. This would provide a control over logging impacts 

 on the soil and the remaining trees. This mav be desirable. The current 

 language would compel in all instances that trees killed by fire, insects or 

 disease to remain standing, be felled and left, or be destroyed rather than 

 be used commercially. This may be an unduly tight restriction. 



There often is the claim that salvage sales may be needed. Trees die on 

 a scattered endemic basis or a more concentrated epidemic basis. 



It seems to me that the Scientific Advisory Board the Act creates should 

 be the group that advises the Forest Service on the desirability of any 

 specific cutting plan within the above procedures, including whether the 

 Service should remove the loss. If there is a good reason to do so the logs 

 should be sold. So long 'as their are tight safeguards that provide ample 

 buffers that* prevent potential damage to Giant Sequoia root systems, it may 

 be sound in some situations to rpmove trees that have been cut. 



6. Buyout Of Existing Timber Contracts, Sec 7(k2), page 19. 



There are some existing timber contracts in the area the bill 

 encompasses. Unless these contracts permit cutting trees within 660' of Giant 

 Sequoia areas, it may be well to let these contracts run their course. If 

 Sequoias would be impacted the contracts could be either amended or canceled 

 to stay away from Sequoias, whichever is most appropriate. Where no cutting 

 has occurred, cancellation may be appropriate unless there is no threat to 

 Sequoias. It would seem reasonable to me, even though these sales will cost 

 the taxpayers money to complete, to taper down the timber program rather than 

 cutting it off completely. 



6. Grazing Permits, Sec. 7 (n), page 21 



The bill uses the term "Grazing Rights". These are revocable permits. 

 There are two alternatives. One is to cancel the permit. The other is to 

 require the permittees to operate their grazing use so that none occurs 

 within 660 feet of a Giant Sequoia grove. The Secretary's authority to 

 regulate grazing when he finds it desirable from a conservation standpoint 

 stems from the 1897 Act. Grazing is also a subsidized use. It should not be 

 permitted to adversely impact the purposes of the Reserves. 



The Committee should carefully weigh the propriety of buying out permits 

 versus directing that peimittees keep stock out of areas where they will 

 damage the Giant Sequoia environment or other resources. 



7. Payments to Local Governments, Sec. 8, page 21-24. 



The proposal that a tax equivalence payment be determined, and made, 

 offers a realistic way to make proper contributions to support of local 

 government functions. 



There is no relationship between 25% payments under 16 U.S.C. 500, PILT 

 (31 U.S.C. 6901), and tax equivalence. Recent payments have been: 



