187 



^ec2(ll) 



"At the current rate of logging in the Sequoia National Forest, 

 it is estimated that all of the ecologically significant unprotected 

 forests will be destroyed within 7-8 years." 



These are the types of statements that raise a lot of emotions, but are 

 bankrupt in truth. "It is estimated" (by whom?) "that all of the ecologically 

 significant unprotected forests (What does that mean? Does it mean that 

 the same kind of forest in a protected area is not ecologically significant?) 

 "will be destroyed within 7-8 years." No one is destroying any part 

 of the forest, and especially the ancient/old growth areas, the 

 giant sequoia groves, or spotted owl habitat. 



It is easy to quote "estimations." However, using the northern spotted owl 

 as an example, it was "estimated" that there were only 6,000-8,000 

 owls left in all of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. A recent 

 study has revealed as many as 8,500 owls in the four northern California 

 forests alone. Yet, those "estimations" have impacted many lives and 

 communities in the Pacific Northwest. It would be wise to evaluate and 

 study "estimations" before they are used to determine public policy. 



Sec 2 (12) 



"Removal of timber from the Sequoia national Forest is done 

 at a net loss to the United States Treasury of more than $8,000,000 

 annually, over and above the amounts appropriated annually by the 

 Congress for the administration and operation of the forest." 



Congress has mandated that each National Forest show ail timber- 

 related benefits and costs. In response, the Timber Sale Program 

 Information Reporting System (TSPIRS) was developed. This reporting 

 system was developed jointly by the Government Accounting Office 

 (GAO) and the Forest Service. It is an annual report of the costs, 

 revenues, resource outputs, and local community effects of the National 

 Forest's timber sales program. 



The following is a summary taken from the 1992 TSPTimber sales 

 $6,754,737 



12 



