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!
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