This ought to really get the Sierra Clubbers up in arms: the U.S. Forest Service and the USDA are suddenly thinking that dead trees be given priority as a "green" building material.
(CNSNews.com) - A new study by the U.S. Forest Service says wood -- including that from diseased trees -- should be considered a "primary" material in green building because it is more environmentally friendly than materials such as concrete and steel.
"This study confirms what many environmental scientists have been saying for years," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Wood should be a major component of American building and energy design. The use of wood provides substantial environmental benefits, provides incentives for private landowners to maintain forest land, and provides a critical source of jobs in rural America."
But, but - hey, wait a minute! What about the poor Spotted Owls? Oh, right - upon further reflection, it appears that old growth isn't so much the issue for them; competition from Barred Owls is. So, we'll just shoot the Barred Owls, and it'll all be good. Spotted Owls, after all, have been doing fine in younger-growth forests, and so it turns out that the initial environmeddlist fears were misplaced.
Having spent the past several decades destroying economies in the Pacific Northwest, the feds have decided that, you know - cutting trees down and using them isn't really such a bad idea, after all. Ten-Hut! About Face!
My math skills are rusty, so I ask: How many Barred Owls will be needed to pave a lane on the Columbia Crossing?
Posted by: innominatus | September 30, 2011 at 12:32 PM
But . . . but, I thought the science was settled on this. Heh.
And the Chinese are crying for timber too.
Excellent post--as usual.
Posted by: T D | September 30, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Government: the only entity on the face of the planet that needs studies done by pointy-headed intellectuals to figure out what the rest of us already knew.
Posted by: fallingpianos | October 01, 2011 at 12:00 AM
C'mon--gummint NEEDS the taxes!
Posted by: Sam L. | October 01, 2011 at 07:14 AM
I once saw an elephant pave about 1/4 acre with a single crow; it was amazing to see how far one crow can go, given sufficient pressure. Barred owls are smaller, so you'd probably need two of them to equal one crow.
I think your basic lane's about 10 feet in width, so probably 200 feet, assuming that C=2BO. It would, however, necessitate frequent re-paving, as the material is not especially durable.
It's worth noting that in the rarified world of government, all kinds of knowledge are open to consideration - as long as it isn't common.
Posted by: Max | October 01, 2011 at 03:45 PM