Middle Ground Scarce in Logging Debate

Regarding the Special Report ``Managing Forests,'' Sept. 16: The following items would have provided a less negative picture of forestry in British Columbia:

First, British Columbia has a very detailed ecological land classification system, which is mandated as the basis for harvest and post-harvest planning. The expertise of the scientists who developed the program is in demand worldwide.

Second, all harvest operations must be advertised for public review for 90 days prior to initiation of harvest.

Third, British Columbia plants 250 million seedlings per year and all harvested areas must be fully restocked within six years of completion of logging.

In one recent year the area of forest destroyed by wildfire in Canada was about equivalent to that of all harvest areas logged in British Columbia this century.

Why are nature's very destructive habits considered ``ecological renewal'' while humans' are ``moonscapes''? Denis P. Lavender, Corvallis, Ore.

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