Jack Banghart (We're rich in natural resources, Aug. 30) writes that
"environmental extremists and liberal Democrats want this country to be
like the recluse who lived as a pauper for years, but upon his death it was
discovered he had millions of dollars hidden in his shack." He implies that
we should take advantage of our natural resources now, spend the million
dollars, to live good lives and reduce our dependency on imports.

Unfortunately, Mr. Banghart misunderstands the concern of most
environmentalists like myself. I want clean air, clean water, productive
soils, healthy forests, and functional ecosystems precisely so that we can
live rich, productive lives. I believe that we should take advantage of
these resources, but in a way that does not degrade them.

I want our economy to be more efficient -- conserving fuel, minerals, land,
and other resources -- to produce the goods and services we need with less
impact on our environment. Energy sources like solar and wind power can run
our factories and homes without polluting our air and causing global
warming. And these energy sources can be local and dispersed reducing our
dependance on both foreign oil and centralized power plants.

Our forests should be managed to provide wood products on a sustainable
basis and to also provide other services such as protecting the watersheds
from erosion, preserving our water quality, reducing flooding, managing
fire hazard, enhancing wildlife, and providing recreational opportunities.
Some forests, grasslands, lakes, and streams need to be preserved in their
wild state for their biological, scientific, and aesthetic value.

Unlike the recluse of the analogy, I believe we should live on the interest
of the million dollars, resisting the temptation to spend down the
principal. We owe it to our children to not destroy what should be their
birthright, a healthy, productive, sustainable planet.

Eric G. Hurley


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Eric G. Hurley
523 Northwestern Ave #1
Ames IA 50010-5922
515/232-2568
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