Correspondence on Bonneville Unit of Central Utah Project

Page 25

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE 32i+ 25th Street Ogden, Utah 8UU01 2320 AUG 4 1972 r Dr. David C. Raskin Conservation Chairman Sierra Club, Uinta Chapter 1865 Herbert Avenue Salt Lake City, Utah 8Ul08 L Dear Dave: This is in reply to your letter of June 29 concerning the roadless area inventory on the Ashley, Uinta, and Wasatch National Forests. The Forest Service multiple use management review of roadless areas on the National Forests has prompted considerable public interest. Most people who have commented support the review process in principle, although some have suggested more time be allowed to do the job. Concerning your statement about the commercial special interests, especially the timber industry, we take exception to this. Our timber sale program in Region k does not reflect the pressure and influence you mentioned. In 1971, we offered slightly more than 500 million board feet of timber for sale. In 1972, the volume offered was about U50 million board feet. For 1973 and 197*+, the planned sales program will involve only 380 million board feet or less annually. You state that the best argument for increasing our inventory of protected Wilderness is the fact that many Wilderness Areas are receiving great pressure. Great pressure is placed on the National Forests to provide for all the uses of timber, grazing, water, wild­life, minerals, and recreation. It is not possible to expand the National Forests to meet the total demands. We can only strive to provide the best possible mix of uses to best serve the American people. We concur with you that wise decisions concerning the future of the National Forests cannot be made by merely responding to the pressures by a few special interests. In regard to your statement that in the long run, all of the available unroaded country will be needed to