Logging Starts at Cedar Creek, Missouri Despite Public Condemnation
http://forests.org/-- Forest Conservation Archives
12/11/98
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Logging Starts at Cedar Creek, Missouri Despite Public Condemnation
Source: Missouri Heartwood
http://www.heartwood.org/MO/Cedar_Creek/CedarCreek.html
Status: Distribute and reprint freely
Date: 12/11/98
Contacts:
Mike Ruffalo 573.441.1927
Missouri Heartwood Office 443.6832
Logging began at Cedar Creek last week. Cedar Creek, located 20 miles
southeast of Columbia, is part of the National Forest System and managed
by the US Forest Service. Used primarily for recreation, citizens in
Columbia and the surrounding community are angry with the Forest Service
for permitting this well known camping and hiking site to be
commercially logged. "I take my son, Zach, out here to walk around," said Boone
County resident Kevin Shraer. "We don't want to see this land destroyed by
roads and heavy machinery." Citizens have protested this timber sale since it
was proposed. All the letters, save one, the US Forest Service received
regarding this timber sale oppose commercial logging and want Cedar
Creek managed for recreation. "This is the place I bring my family to get away
from town for a while. We don't want Cedar Creek to be logged," said Mr.
Shraer.
In addition to the recreational and ecological impacts logging has on
public land, there is a large economic drawback. According to Forest
Service figures, the American taxpayer loses close to $1 billion dollars
annually to support commercial logging, road building and administrative
fees. "The way I see it, cutting on public land for private gain is
wrong. In essence, our tax dollars are supporting corporate welfare for
logging operations and paper companies," said Columbia resident Jason
Woodburn.
Although recreation provides 31 times the income and 34 times the job of
logging on public land (Forest Service), monies that could otherwise be
used to improve facilities and maintenance are being directed into
corporate kickbacks. "The public is being taken advantage of. With the
Forest Service's timber sale program both money and forest habitat is
wasted," said Missouri Heartwood member Heidi Bennett. "It's about time
the Forest Service is held accountable to the public for it's
mismanagement and disservice."