[Vision2020] Lochsa Isn't Going Anywhere

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the Letters section of today's (December 13, 2010)
Moscow-Pullman Daily News with special thanks to Bruce Knapp of Moscow.

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Lochsa isn't going anywhere

The idea of the Forest Service taking over the management of the private
checkerboard land near the head waters of the Lochsa River is excellent as
most people agree.

However, exchanging current National Forest land closer to the centers of
population is not the way to do it.

I have lived in many parts of this country and once public land became
private, it was stripped of its natural resources (in this case timber).

It then becomes a commodity. Even though promised by the land company to
stay open to the public, its value to the new owners and developers will
dictate what happens on that land.

With the cost of energy only going to go up, why should the local people
who hunt, hike, mushroom or fish this public land close to them have to
drive farther to do it?

The only logical option is to acquire the land by buying it outright and
to continue managing the existing land as is.

The Forest Service needs to have patience acquiring this land, it's not
going anywhere!

Bruce Knapp, Moscow

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown