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[The Giant Sequoia groves and other ancient forests located within 

 Sequoia National Forest are a unique national treasure that should 

 be passed on intact for the benefit and enjoyment of future 

 generations." 



True. No one disputes the majesty of these trees and their value as a 

 living species. The question is not whether or not they should be passed 

 on intact, but rather, what is the best way to manage these trees and their 

 surrounding ecosystem so that the groves not only remain intact, but will 

 also thrive and continue to reproduce. 



Sec 2 (2) 



"The Giant Sequoias are named for the Cherokee Indian 

 Sequoya, a giant among his people as the creator of the Cherokee 

 alphabet." 



True. He didn't reach "giant" status until after he was dead, however. 

 That should serve as a reminder that we need to appreciate the status of 

 these trees before they are gone and to do what we can to insure their 

 continued health and growth. 



Sec 2 (4) 



'Most of all the Giant Sequoia trees in the entire world are 

 within the boundaries of the Sequoia National Forest; these trees 

 and their environs are currently unprotected statutorily from 

 logging, development, and other impacts resulting from human 

 activity." 



Actually, the present sequoia acreage is dispersed as follows: 



68% National Parks 



21% National Forests 



1% Bureau of Indian Affairs 



2% State and County 



8% Private owners 

 (source: Giant Seouoias. Harvey, Shellhammer, Stecker, & 

 Hartesveldt. Published by Sequoia Natural History Association, ©1 981 ) 



Yes, there are a lot of sequoias in the Sequoia National Forest, but it is 

 not necessary to misstate facts to see the need to protect such an 

 impressive species. Most of the giant sequoias are not in Sequoia 

 National Forest. Even those within the National Forest are already 

 protected from logging and development in three ways: 



1 . Through Land Management Plans (mandated by Congress). 



2. Through a Presidential Proclamation made by President George Bush 

 in 1992. 



3. Through the Mediated Settlement signed in 1990. 



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