Jul 19, 2009

Administration to allow clear-cutting of 381 acres rainforest in Alaska's

Insane? ahhh.... yes.
The U.S. has the world's seventh highest rate of primary forest loss in the world.
Between 2000 and 2005, the United States lost an average of 831 square miles (215,200 hectares) of "primary forest" -- defined as forests with no visible signs of past or present human activities.
 
These forests, often termed "old-growth forests," have the highest number of plant and animal species and are generally considered a top priority for conservation by environmentalists and government agencies. Large expanses of American forests -- especially in the South -- have been converted for industrial tree plantations used for paper and wood production.
 
The announcement disappointed environmentalists who hoped Vilsack's policy would lead to a moratorium on road-building across 58.5 million acres of national roadless areas. Green groups are now bracing for more logging deals.
 
 

Comment from Ancient Native Americans: