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its ecosystem (the of plants and animals) is in danger of "destruction or 

 diminution" tfiey do everything within their power to alleviate such 

 dangers. 



The larger problem here is put forward by Professor William Libby from 

 DC Berkeley. When we set aside our forests from timber harvesting, we 

 must import our wood products from other forests. While protecting our 

 forests from any logging, countries with endangered rainforests are more 

 than happy to fill the demand. So much so that for every 1 ,000 hectares 

 that we preserve, 1 .2 plant species and 68 total species are forced into 

 extinction in other forests around the world. We can manage our forests 

 properly and practice sustainable forestry, or we can contribute to global 

 deforestation and the extinction of multiple species. 



^ec 2 (7) 



"The ancient forests of the Sequoia and Sierra National 

 Forests can and do provide outstanding and unique recreational 

 opportunities for our nation's people." 



Tnje. The U. S. Forest Service's practice of "Multiple Use" has been so 

 successful that there are millions more who enjoy and use the Sequoia 

 National Forest than do those who enjoy and use world-famous 

 Yosemite National Park. It is one of the great freedoms of America that 

 the United States government allows the land owned by the people to 

 be used by the people, and millions do! 



Sec 2 (8) 



"The ancient forests of the Sequoia and Sierra National 

 Forests retain and release water, thus guaranteeing a steady and 

 assured supply of clean, high-quality water for agriculture, 

 industrial, municipal, animal, environmental, and recreational 

 purposes." 



Tnje, though this process is not limited to ancient forest. It has more to do 

 with geography than with forestry. In fact, more water is available to the 

 "users" listed if there are less trees to compete for that water. However, 

 that is not the issue as much as is "clean, high-quality water." The 

 Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, Environmental Protection 

 Agency policies, and California State regulations are already stronger 

 protection for the water supply than HR2153 would mandate. 



Sec 2 (9) 



"The most valuable aspect of the Sequoia and Sierra National 

 Forests is their Intact, natural ecosystems, which have developed 

 over tens of thousands of years; such ecosystems are not 

 renewable for many centuries after logging, if at all." 



Yes. logging does have an impact on ecosystems, as does wildfire, 

 drought, even winter. However, it is a commonly accepted fact that the 



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