For wilderness, but not against logging

Recent comments in newspapers have implied that Montana Wilderness Association is an anti-timber organization. This is neither accurate nor fair.

In fact, MWA is a supporter of our wilderness lands and a friend to local mills and local logging families. MWA can support sound, reasonable logging on already roaded lands.

MWA is not anti-logging. MWA has not litigated a timber sale since the early '90s. That particular case, a decade ago, was the Sunday Creek sale on the Kootenai, which involved a dispute over old-growth forest. It was not about normal commercial timber.

MWA is not anti-logging. No less an authority than Ellen Engstedt, executive vice president of the Montana Wood Products Association, attests to it. MWA is open to "consensus and getting things done," Engstedt was recently quoted in the Great Falls Tribune. "They're not the ones who are constantly appealing timber sales, litigating timber sales," she added.

More recently, recognizing that small mills are an important part of Montana's economy and that responsible, sustainable logging should take place, MWA has worked hard with the small mills to ensure an available supply of timber.

MWA was one of the leaders in forging the Kootenai Accord, which united the interests of conservation groups, mills and logging workers. The Kootenai Accord was signed on June 7, 1990, by MWA, the Cabinet Resources Group, Mr. Winton Weydemeyer, sawmill workers and sports people in a public ceremony in Libby.

This accord negotiated an agreement that both safeguards wilderness lands (and not incidentally, protects hunting and fishing opportunities for everyone) and guarantees a constant timber supply on the Kootenai.

A second agreement, the Lolo Accord, was signed on June 20, 1990, in Missoula by sawmill workers, MWA and sports people. This historic agreement was made possible by individuals who set aside differences to work for the long-term interest of both the timber industry and the conservation community.

This is the approach MWA favors-hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities, and good jobs for everyone.

MWA has been tireless in its efforts to protect our state's great wild resources, while ensuring that Montana's working families find employment.

In early 2003, MWA met with nine sawmills, the Woods Product Association, the Montana Logging Association and regional forester Brad Powell to discuss management of roaded national forest lands, including "categorical exclusions" for small timber sales and the conservation of roadless national lands, including wilderness.

MWA will continue to work with all parties to preserve Montana's legacy of wildlife and wild places-to pass on to our children the gift that has been given to us.

When you view a real estate advertisement glorifying the wild, scenic values of Northwest Montana, that ad expresses the very spirit of MWA's mission-a desire to keep the state's wild and quiet places for all future generations of Montanans.

That image touches something in our hearts-we want to preserve that wild view. MWA shares that desire with all Montanans.

A significant portion of MWA's membership are farmers and ranchers, hunters and, of course, people who live in houses constructed from forest products-from timber. We believe responsible, sustainable timbering should continue.

As well, MWA members are aware that only 4 percent of our beautiful state is permanently protected as wilderness. As individuals with an abiding love of this special landscape, we hope that percentage will grow-so that future generations will look back and say they live in a beautiful, wild state with clean water, quiet places and wilderness.

They will thank us for having the courage and foresight to pass this wild gift on to them.

Roger Sherman is a retired public school teacher who lives in Columbia Falls.