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"Second, as we craft a plan, we need to protect the long-term health of 

 our forests, our wildlife, and our waterways. They are a... gift from God; and we 

 hold them in tmst for future generations. 



"Third, our efforts must be, insofar as we are wise enough to know it, 

 scientifically sound, ecologically credible, and legally responsible. 



"Fourth, the plan should produce a predictable and sustainable level of 

 timber sales and non-timber resources that will not degrade or destroy the 

 environment. 



"Fifth, to achieve these goals, we will do our best, as I said, to make the 

 federal government work together and work for you. We may make mistakes 

 but we will try to end the gridlock within the federal government and we will 

 insist on collaboration not confrontation." 



The Giant Sequoia Preservation Act is confrontation, not collaboration. 

 Collaboration, according to Webster's, is "to work jointly with others or together 

 especially in an intellectual endeavor." We believe that this issue is indeed an 

 intellectual endeavor, and we need to follow the guidelines set forth by our 

 president. There are plenty of arguments that stack up on each side of any 

 environmental issue. It is our belief that HR2153 is not that type of an issue. 

 The best choice for proper management of the sequoia is not the proposed 

 management put forth by this bill. 



RECREATION 



The National Forests were created for multiple use. They have been 

 established to maximize the value in natural resources, whether that be timber, 

 water, recreation or the amazing biodiversity found within a National Forest. 

 They contain large areas of forests that have been set aside for the people of 

 the United States to visit, enjoy, appreciate and use. Congress has directed the 

 Forest Service to maintain those areas in such a state that the use does not 

 diminish the health and vitality of the forest or its ability to be used by others. 

 This is known as sustainability. 



The largest percentage of Americans live in an urban environment. In 

 1992 alone over eight million people came to the Sequoia National Forest to 

 use and enjoy it. The majority are regular users of the Forest and come from 

 Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley. 



Because so many Americans live in cities there is a fundamental need to 

 educate and inform them about environmental issues. It is important for them to 

 see and appreciate the forest if we are to expect them to develop a healthy view 

 of our natural resources and how to protect them. 



