277 



snfpresl 



Gay Ver Steeg 



Rt . 4, Box 205-B 



PorterviHe, California 93257 



805-548-6482 



Date: March l, 1994 



Re : Support for the Giant Sequoia Preservation Act 



My parents have had a ranch at California Hot Springs near the Sequoia 

 National Forest for over 3 years. I have lived on this ranch for the 

 past IS years. During this time we have considered having the Sequoia 

 National Forest (SNF) as a backdrop to our property an unquestioned 

 asset. We use the SNF for both winter and summer recreation, we camp, 

 hike, ride horses, auid cross-country ski in Giant Sequoia groves and 

 other areas of interest within the SNF. 



We were led to believe that the SNF staff protected these public lands 

 for the future of all Americans through careful management. Long ago (20 

 years or more) , logging and roadbuilding were not changing the landscape 

 as rapidly as today. In the past decade or so, logging has been done on 

 a much larger scale. The SNF receives a great deal of its funding based 

 on timber sales. Accordingly, forest service employees, wishing to 

 continue their employment and funding, knowingly or unJcnowingly encourage 

 a pro-logging stance over other considerations. 



The pressure to cut timber has taken precedence over the careful 

 management of the Giant Sequoia trees, watersheds, soils, plant and 

 animal communities, and recreation. In fact, recreation has been 

 discouraged by locked gates on many roads, campground closures, and trail 

 neglect. It is now much harder to enjoy the forest for recreation. 



Stronger protection is needed for the SNF because of its unique blend of 

 Giant Sequoias and fragile, dry landscape. Continued extraction of 

 timber will lead to harmful effects, possibly to the Giant Sequoias 

 themselves. The SNF is too precious to tinker with. 



My suggestions for protecting the SNF are as follow*: 



1 . Permanently protect the Giant Sequoias and the surrounding forest 

 community . 



2 . Do not cut trees for timber because there are problems with regrowth, 

 loss of trees due to disease, and negative effects on soils and water. 

 When necessary, trees can be selectively cut on « tree by tree basis. 



3. Do not build new roads because they are not needed. Open as many 

 existing roads as possible by unlocking gates. This will replace the 

 current system of locked gates on many roads which are now accessible 

 only to loggers, ranchers, and SNF staff who have Iteys . 



• 



4. Epcouraoe the recreational aspects of the forest . Other national 

 forests have excellent systems of trails, campgrounds and snow parks. 

 This will provide many jobs for the co««nunity and the forest service. 



