Salvage loggingMineral fire project all about timber
I recently toured the proposed Mineral fire salvage logging project with representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Native Forest Network and concerned citizens of various backgrounds, including loggers. The area slated to be cut is unroaded old growth forest within 500 feet of the Rattlesnake Wilderness and has the popular West Fork of Gold Creek Trail running through the middle of it.The logging project is being conducted through a new "categorical exclusion" in Bush's Healthy Forests Initiative. Walking through the forest, I was impressed with how healthy the forest already looks. The fire had burned moderately through the area leaving a mosaic of burned and green trees. Fire is a natural cycle in the forest and does not require logging to restore health. For an example of an unhealthy forest, we had already traveled 15 miles through Plum Creek Timber Co.'s barren lands in Gold Creek - denuded and roaded hillsides.
But this project isn't about forest health; it's about timber. It's about logging another old growth stand, deteriorating the landscape around a popular recreation area, and pushing wildlife such as the threatened Canada lynx further into the wilderness areas that have become their last refuges.
I encourage people to spend time in this threatened forest and then call Austin and ask her to cancel the Mineral fire salvage logging project.
Ted Fellman,
1115 Martz Drive, Arlee
Governor's raceIsn't Schweitzer entitled to choice?
This is a response to Greg Scarff, a self-described conservative Republican, in the article written by Allison Farrell of the Missoulian State Bureau on July 2, Page A2. Bold headlines: "Auto dealer scolds Schweitzer for out-of-state purchases." Scarff was quoted, "Brian's talking about how you should be helping Montana businesses yet he shops out of state."I'm not a candidate for any government office, but I am a person trying to start a hotshot business. One of my needs was a 1-ton, four-wheel-drive truck. I wrote a list of options I wanted on this vehicle and gave it to five Montana dealerships, one of which was Scarff Auto Center in Kalispell; another was Dave Smith of Idaho. The low bid was from a Dodge dealership in Ronan; Dave Smith of Idaho was $340 from low bid. Greg Scarff Auto Center was $14,198 over low bid.
From Whitefish to Idaho there aren't five cities, let alone five GM dealerships, unless you waste money driving all over western Montana.
Does Scarff only spend money in Montana?
The Republican opponent, Bob Brown, said Schweitzer has long talked about growing Montana's economy through small business development. Brown said, "He clearly wasn't putting his money where his mouth was." Maybe Brown has extra money to give Scarff. For the two vehicles in my case, it would have been $28,396 above and beyond low bid. Scarff's estimate of cost for Schwietzer's vehicles comes from his mouth, not others.
Schweitzer did not jump at prices just because they came from Montana, and he is doing the right thing by not playing to a spiteful Scarff, who somehow must feel that a person cannot have a choice of what they want and how much to pay for a vehicle.
Larry Beauvais,
8770 Dubay Road, Polson
IraqDeception doesn't stand up
I protest against the depraved deception of June 28 in Baghdad. In the transfer of so-called sovereignty to CIA client Iyad Allawi by imperial proconsul L. Paul Bremer III, the insane status quo of American aggression and domineering occupation continues with Potemkin facade.Three factual considerations that are beyond rational contradiction are sufficient to shatter to smithereens the seductive picture that the rogues of the Bush administration desire us to see and trust.
1. American sponsorship of the Kurdish fetal state in northern Iraq means dismembering Iraq and implies a strategic threat to the integrity of Turkey and Iran. 2. The Palestinian Arabs of the territories conquered in June 1967 by the American-supported Zionist state of Israel have been under oppressive occupation for 37 years with no sovereignty of democratic statehood. 3. The deceitful argument that Bush and his fellow knaves preach, that we liberated Iraq from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, defiantly contravenes the holy scripture of the American Revolution (1776): "Š Whenever any form of government becomes destructive Š" - like the regime of Saddam Hussein - "it is the right of the people" - the Iraqis, not a foreign empire - "to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them" - the Islamic Iraqis, not anti-Islamic foreign invaders - "shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."
It defies revolutionary "Common Sense" to believe that "the military despotism of a victorious demagogue" (1788, Federalist Essay No. 85, Alex. Hamilton) will induce Iraqis "to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the law of nature and of nature's God entitled them ... ."
David T. Baker,
200 Connell Ave., Apt. A6, Missoula
National Bison RangeDon't ignore opponents of tribes
In a letter dated March 6, l996, in opposition to the proposed transfer of duties at the National Bison Range, Sen. Conrad Burns wrote: "The Salish Kootenai Tribe is a Sovereign Nation. They are not a local government representative of all who reside within its boundaries." In an e-mail dated June l0, 2003, Burns' representative in Washington, D.C., wrote, "Your message has been heard loud and clear. This issue has definitely taken a national profile and the Senator is hearing from people all over the country."A year has passed. Thousands more messages have been sent or delivered in person to those responsible for negotiations with the tribes. All of them have been ignored by the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. When mitigation leads to capitulation, surely litigation will follow.
In our form of government we elect persons who accept the responsibility of making sure our voices are heard. Sens. Burns and Max Baucus, and Rep. Denny Rehberg are those persons. From them, we are expecting recognition, understanding and, most important, leadership. Bureaucracy, without oversight and control, must not be allowed to ignore the reasoned opposition to the transfer of any control of any portion of duties on any national refuge.
Rita Senkler,
l4027 Highway 212, Charlo
Miller Creek Road EISWe've seen what apathy will bring
It took 18 months and plenty of citizen complaints but the Federal Highway Administration, lead agent for the Miller Creek Road EIS, and the Denver consultants finally allowed the audience to participate at their "public meeting" to discuss the current options for the Miller Creek Road extension to U.S. Highway 93 and beyond. Defying logic, the Blue Mountain/Big Flat link to the overpass and cloverleaf is still on the table.If you are unfamiliar with the road, it is narrow, winding, with a substandard surface, snaking along the contours of the Bitterroot River and carrying a significant accident rap sheet, clearly compromising the use of our beloved national recreation area. However, the site was predetermined as evidenced by 1995 structural engineering maps. Currently, developers have flocked to Blue Mountain in a fever to build mini-malls.
The cost of creating a safe Blue Mountain/Big Flat Road would be staggering. But, guess what? You property owners will fund the project with a rural special improvement district. Increased traffic would create the need to replace Maclay Bridge with a South Avenue bridge. Another RSID.
Since none of the proposed options would solve the Linda Vista exit problems, County Commissioner Barbara Evans was asked why the commissioners continued to authorize housing developments when there was no infrastructure and appropriate exits. She claimed those people need houses, and furthermore, she is opposed to impact fees on developers.
Don't like the prospect? Make some noise. You know what apathy gets you? Four-lane Blue Mountain/Big Flat Road, a South Avenue Bridge and RSIDs to pay for them.
Helen Orendain,
2555 Blue Mountain Road, Missoula
Forest managementCongress must fulfill its obligation
The Missoulian published in the July 2 issue a letter to the editor titled: "Nothing 'extreme' about upholding laws." I would like to offer comment.The statement alluding to the writer's clients (what a good deal for an attorney), their belief in democracy is probably true. Democracy, some call it mob rule, is where decision is controlled by the strongest faction. Examine the world; peace is destroyed and people, including children, die of violence and starvation as factions battle for control and power.
The writer's clients choose only certain laws or parts of laws - those that suit their agenda - and forget all the rest of the others and through their legal representative try to have taxpayers pay for their efforts. Many of those tax dollars come from the taxpayers they are trying to put out of business by doing away with logging, ranches, grazing and control the water is the cry. Citizens willing to help each other is forgotten now as groups such as the author do not care how drastic their efforts are to others. These groups are self-appointed and feel they have superior knowledge.
The republic form of government worked and a great nation was created. The election process gave everyone a chance to be a part by his vote. Our government can once again be great if Congress seriously takes over its oversight responsibilities.
Merle D. Lloyd,
P.O. Box 1736, Hamilton
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