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Clear-cutting and values

Editor: What is the value of a natural old forest and the thousands of species it supports? I consider the intrinsic values of such a life support system priceless, and not measurable in dollars and cents.

Editor:

What is the value of a natural old forest and the thousands of species it supports?

I consider the intrinsic values of such a life support system priceless, and not  measurable in dollars and cents.

In your May 22 edition, Tony Greenfield has responded to my comments about clear-cutting. I agree with him that biodiversity is a very complex issue. He has invited me to walk in the woods with him, and I will certainly take up that offer. I would suggest that he invite his entire board of directors of the community forest to join him. I have walked in the woods with many people before.

No one has yet tried to deny that clear-cuts will extirpate the 24 species of amphibians, owls, woodpeckers and forest plants that I mentioned in my previous letter. These are only a very few of the thousands of species affected. I consider these species to be part of the web of life, which is priceless. Many people care about these species and about nature.

Some progressive countries, with progressive leaders, have entrenched the rights of nature and the right to a healthy environment in their constitution.

Canada, under its present leaders, has entrenched only the rights of corporations and destroyers of nature. This is 19th century thinking, and should be relegated to history.

Rick O’Neill, Roberts Creek