I stood in the back during the recent meeting listening to the pros/cons of the proposed University of Alaska timber sale. I have lived in logging communities in Arizona, Oregon and Montana and knew/know people who worked in the industry. I have also revisited those towns where no large, active mill continues to operate. As one friend/employee told me, “We took the cream and it wasn’t cost effective to go after the rest.”

After the mills closed many thought the towns would die, but instead they are thriving on what people want: rafting, fishing, skiing, jobs in the medical field, etc. Change is scary, but other communities have successfully made the transition.

For those of you who think this timber sale will provide sustainable employment, you are only fooling yourselves. This is not to say there shouldn’t be small-scale logging/production here in Haines. I don’t care which side of the issue you’re on: we all, I’m guessing, have a “Buster board” or two in our homes cut from local trees. Buster was around a long time providing timber for the local market while creating sustainable employment for some.

There are now young, energetic people in Haines slowly filling Buster’s shoes. This is truly where the middle ground and jobs lie. Logs from the proposed UA timber sale are destined to places other than Haines. Logging is projected to last about 10 years with a 110- to 120-year harvest cycle. One hundred years is a long time to go without work.

Mark Battaion