ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES in rocky mountain coniferous ...

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN --
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PRACTICING FORESTERS?
Carl M. Berntsen
Director of Science Programs
Society of American Foresters
ABSTRACT
Environmental concern grew out of accelerated timber harvesting
in the Rocky Mountains during the early 1960's. Citizen groups
concerned about adverse visual impacts were joined by those
interested in the preservation o f wild1 ife and wilderness. The
forestry environmental movement joined the national environmental
movement to work for more stringent cangressional legislation
and federal regulation. The lack of a comparable level of
technical information far decision makers has been costly in
terms of dollars and time.
KEYWORDS: Environment, forest management research, coniferous
forests, environmental legislation, forest regulation.
In Montana and the Rocky Mountain Region, a strong sense of individual independence
and a way of 1 ife seem to say: "This is my country. I want something to say about
how it i s used." A decade ago its "use" accelerated.
In the early 1960's new developments in harvesting and mil 1 ing technology and
increased lumber demands a1 tered the economic picture for marginal timber stands.
Lodgepole pine came into its own as a commercial crop, for example, and the oppor-
tunity to convert old, deteriorating forests to young, vigorous ones was duly noted.
Conversion would prevent additional losses to insects and diseases, and contribute to
the public welfare by creating new jobs and suppling lumber for local and national
needs.
Most people welcomed the changed social and economic outlook. The lumber industry,
encouraged by these signs, built timber processing plants at locations adjacent to
national forests, the main source of timber in the Rockies. Thousands of acres of
lodgepole pine and spruce were clearcut--much of it in large, conspicuous units.