When the Northwest (nee "Clinton") Forest Plan was implemented in the
early 1990s, many forest scientists and resource managers at that time
said it would never work. It never has, and the results included
economically devastated rural communities, millions of acres of
damaged and degraded forest lands, and a continuing decline in spotted
hoot owl numbers.
Now, the principal architects of this failure are in the news again --
admitting (some of) their former errors, and trying to provide a
modified direction for public forests:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700122075/Pilot-projects-seek-way-out-of-forest-logjam.html
It must be pointed out that, while Jerry Franklin is the widely
accepted "Guru of Old-Growth," and Norm Johnson is well known for his
expertise in Forest economics and policy, neither man has ever
successfully engaged in forest management at any scale, has any
particular expertise or track record regarding reforestation, has
demonstrated any scientific ability or knowledge regarding forest
wildfire or fire history, or been held accountable for their earlier
failures.
If this is actually a "scientific" proposal, shouldn't it be subjected
to a rigorous peer review first before being further promoted via
political channels?
From: Bob Zybach ZybachB@ORWW.org
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