Forest Management Testimony

Herald and News April 28, 2007, by Ty Beaver

Testimony supporting management of forests was heard at a recent hearing of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, of which U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., is a member.

John Helms, professor emeritus of forestry at the University of California Berkeley, said at the hearing that no other means of sequestering carbon is more effective than that of trees and forests at large.

In the United States, forests take in an amount of carbon dioxide equal to that put out by 235 million cars, he testified. at the same time, they provide other necessary products, habitat for wildlife, and play a part in the creation of clean water.

Helms added harvesting restrictions in U.S.  forests are creating damaging harvesting practices elsewhere in the world to satisfy demand.

Walden said in a press release that the United States needs to do more to manage its forests to protect them from excessive fires and remain a part of our country.

"America's forests should be an example to the world that you can have healthy forests that both sequester carbon and support good jobs," he said.