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These trees are not threatened. They are already protected. There is no 

 reason or need to make the Sequoia National Forest a preserve, it 

 would cost in terms of lost jobs, weakened forest health, and lost revenue 

 to county, state and federal governments. 



Sec 2(13) "b" 



"Workers paid by private interests for felling, hauling, and 

 milling trees within the boundaries of the Preserve established by 

 this Act are subsidized by United States taxpayers." 



First of all, the United States Government has long practiced subsidies in 

 a vanety of industries because of the larger, beneficial effect on the 

 economy and on industry. This has been a standard accepted practice in 

 areas such as dairy, tobacco, and peanuts. So, even if this were tme, it 

 is not necessarily a negative. 



However, by examining TSPIRS it is obvious that the timber industry is 

 actually paying for itself in ways that dairy, tobacco, and peanuts never 

 nave. 



The Forest Service's timber program brings in revenues jthat pay 

 government salaries, enhance forest health, and increase recreational 

 uses. Compare that to the Park Service where all similar expenses are 

 paid for by the United States Treasury. 



The concept that the timber industry is subsidized comes from the fact 

 that government lands are contracted out at a greatly reduced price, 

 as compared to private lands. This actually has a long-range effect on 

 the entire economy. One of the major indicators on the health of the 

 economy is based on housing starts. Housing starts are related directly 

 to building material affordability. That affordability is based on the price 

 for lumber, which can be impacted by the price the Forest Service 

 charges for its timber.. 



As a reminder the trees cost the Forest Service nothing, and they are 

 indeed a renewable resource. The price for selling those trees 

 (administrative and road building, etc.) is paid for by the revenues of the 

 timber sales. A loss of the timber sales program means a loss of 

 revenue, jobs, and the many other benefits of such a program. See 

 TSPIRS 



Sec 2 (15) 



"United States Forest Service figures show the recreational 

 value of the Sequoia National Forest to be more than 6 times that 

 of timber extraction, yet recreational values, and the opportunities 

 for gainful employment associated therewith, are seriously and 

 permanently eroded under past and present management of the 

 Forest." 



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80-635 -94 -7 



