Your article “Industry makes case for forestry office” ignored the community appeal to manage the Haines State Forest in accordance with principles of multiple use, as provided by the legislation enacting the forest. State Forester Chris Maisch came to explain that the decision to close the local forestry office (“saving” the state $130,000) is based on the lack of timber receipts. That rationale is blind to the spirit of the Haines State Forest.
The community did an excellent job of exposing the accounting practices that hide other forest receipts and its understanding that with more engaged management, the Haines State Forest could generate the funds to maintain a staffed office year round. The real story behind the forestry office issue is not the dependence of the local industry on the forest, but the state’s responsibility to manage the resource comprehensively and transparently.
Debra Schnabel