Date:         Fri, 25 Feb 2000 21:58:39 -0700
Reply-To:     Larry Hamm <ldhamm@XMISSION.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Hamm <ldhamm@XMISSION.COM>
Subject:      Re: environ"mental"ism !
Comments: To: Bill Johnson <bjohns@DTX.NET>
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Bill Johnson wrote:

Strip mining and clear
> cutting are on my no no list.  Anyone here support those things?
>
Bill,

Well, in Wyoming they have great coal strip mines, the coal going to
provide electricity in many parts of the country. The "unit trains" that
carry the coal away are long, sometimes more than 150 cars, 5 engines
on. Without the electricity they provide, many of us would (pick one)
freeze or burn our butts off. Environmental regulations require that the
mines backfill, reapply topsoil, and replant native grasses. when they
are finished, you can't tell they were ever there. Without them, I'm not
sure what we would do to replace that energy, so, yes, I support some
strip mines.

As far as clear cutting goes, I guess if it's done where it is commonly
visible, it's not pretty. But it does tend to mimic that great natural
event, fire. Fire opens large swaths of forest, which tends to create
better wildlife habitat and generally improve the health of the stand,
especially where fire has been suppressed for many decades. When you
factor in the lower cost of clear-cut lumber, then again, I'd have to
admit to at least a partial support.

I'm sure there are other situations that would not be supportable, but
they have to be examined on a case by case basis, and not all condemned
with blanket platitudes.

Larry