A common sense management policy

Letter to the Editor:

More than 130 years ago, when more common sense and less sentiment prevailed, it was decided the best use of the undeveloped western states would be to encourage settlers to move out here and start farms and industries.

The Homestead Act promoted the development of the West by giving title to 160 acres to anyone that would build their home here and sustain themselves on the land. The railroads were given subsidies as inducement to push their rails across this new wilderness. The results of these two visionary ideas have been quite remarkable. The wilderness has been transformed into vibrant towns, cities, farms and industries.

This success story is now under attack, however, as a result of the poorly written language of the Endangered Species Act. There is an entrenched group of well financed morons trying to return the west to the wilderness it once was under the aegis of this legislation. In just 25 years these zealots have managed to bring about a moratorium on federal timber sales resulting in the closure of over 400 lumber mills in five states of the Northwest. Using concerns for endangered species as justification, these so called preservationists have also caused impediments to mining, oil drilling and road and dam construction. Now these idiots are advocating removing the hydroelectric dams already in place. They also call for more wilderness designation as well as huge land acquisitions for use as "animal corridors."

Isn't it time we return to a sane policy for management of our resources before these crack pots do any more damage.

William Payne

Libby