I wonder if any of the wood will be relegated to use as biofuel, or if all of it will be used in building? The word last summer was that lumber for building was at a premium in part due to construction in Iraq.
[Side-note: one sustainability-minded builder, who often favors steel or concrete or other materials, remarked to me that he thought it was particularly bad to use that lumber in Iraq, given that the climate would shorten the lifespan of it pretty quickly? In any event, given the struggles of the US steel industry, I also sort of wondered why the idea didn't surface to export some steel studs there from the US instead of just building-wood. I know, these ideas of mine don't reflect an accurate view of the present economics of the building industry, but I did want to at least mention them.... since not much mainstream discussion seemed to occurr at all.] When the topic of forestry and improved sustainability practices comes up in discussions, one of the things that has made an impression on me is that the best-effort solutions from the point of view of advocates of sustainable mature solutions, seem to involve a sort of combined, balanced, maybe even complex, mix of actions, and not just "how much do you cut". I am thinking, for example, of an article I read about Flagstaff, a year or two ago, where the (relatively well-to-do) folks in that community made an effort to study and implement better solutions that would help prevent a disaster. As to use of wood as biofuel, I am not saying I know that to be super-adviseable in this situation, I am just questioning whether the idea might have validity here or elsewhere, in addition to its use in the high priced lubmer-building-material dept. MM http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=585&e=3&u=/nm/20040123/sc_nm/environment_california_logging_dc Citing Fire Risk, U.S. to Expand California Logging Fri Jan 23, 1:25 AM ET Add Science - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Adam Tanner SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - U.S. forestry officials announced on Thursday that they would significantly expand the amount of logging allowed in California's Sierra Nevada mountains in what they described as an effort to curb wildfires. Environmental groups and a California state official attacked the plan as showing disregard for the environment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (news - web sites)'s Forest Service said it would permit logging of 700,000 acres over the next 20 years. "I personally witnessed the human suffering and catastrophic damage caused by those fires," Forest Service Regional Forester Jack Blackwell said. "I am personally convinced that future droughts in the Sierra Nevada, coupled with periods of wind and high temperatures, could lead to the same devastation there," he said in a statement. "It is my professional responsibility to take decisive action." State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, a Democrat, condemned the decision. "Once again, the Bush White House has demonstrated its continued disregard for the environment and willingness to sacrifice natural resources Californians cherish," he said. "Under the guise of addressing fire risk, the revised framework will substantially increase commercial logging, endanger wildlife habitats and weaken water quality protections and grazing limitations." The Sierra Nevada region spans 400 miles along the eastern edge of California and is home to grizzly bear, mountain sheep and sequoia, pine, and aspen trees. In December, President Bush (news - web sites) signed into law a plan he said would reduce the risk of wildfires in federal forests. Environmental groups called it a giveaway to the timber industry. Californians were reminded of the dangers of forest fires when blazes in the southern part of the state late last year killed nearly two dozen people and destroyed 3,400 homes. Forest service spokesman Dave Reider said the plans increase the amount of wood that could be harvested four-fold compared to a 2001 plan. He said loggers would be allowed to cut 330 million board feet in the Sierra Nevada per year, up from 70 to 80 million board feet in the earlier plan. Builders use about 15,000 board feet to build a three-bedroom home, he said. "These changes are bad news for those of us who live here," said John Brissenden, who owns a resort lodge in Hope Valley. "Cutting trees miles away from our homes won't protect us from wildfire. People want to bring their kids to hike, camp and fish in a peaceful place, not a logging project." Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! 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