Craig Daily Press / Mike Albee: Pine beetle issue is not due to harvesting

August 28, 2008

To the editor:

I would like to respond to some points made by Mr. Germond in Monday’s Craig Daily Press.

First, the pine beetle problem is not a result of massive overgrowth and restrictions on harvesting. The problem is really two-fold. The lack of adequate moisture for several years has not allowed the lodgepole pine to produce natural defenses to protect itself from the beetle. Another factor is the lack of extreme cold winters, which kill the beetles. Whether harvesting was allowed or not, the beetle infestation would have occurred anyway.

Regarding gas prices, restrictions and regulations are not causing the high gas prices. If there were no restrictions and the United States could drill whenever and wherever without limitation, the oil would be placed on the world market, just like the oil from every other country and be subject to the same market forces that currently are influencing the price of gasoline.

Mike Albee, of Craig

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28 August 2008 at 8:45 p.m.

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redneckgirl (Anonymous) says…

I agree Mr. Albee…and i also think fire is a good thing in some cases. Look at the Trappers area, no more beetle kill, just brand new beautiful baby trees!

30 August 2008 at 2:23 p.m.

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Patrick (Anonymous) says…

I'll be back in 7 days Mike. This out house stain on the reputaiton of treehuggers is going to be made front and center. Because of constant court injuctions to shut timber sales down most mills have went out of business. The treehuggers who chain themselves to trees and the the retarded who supportted that crud got their way. It's now going to be lost by all. It will more than likely burn. Meaning death and massive carbon out put. In a thin forest, fire can travel through and not kill the trees, it will only kill the BUGS and under bruss. Under brush can be kept down by grazing. It happened two years ago on the front range. You'll here all about it soon.