Here's an article about how the people of Maryland feel about cutting trees
from their state lands.

Although Iowa DNR under the Vilsack administration is not at present logging
state parks, the DNR did conduct state park logging until recently, and
continues to log state forests.
Tom

Subj:         FYI: Press Release-MD State Forest Public Opnion Poll
Date:   01-11-05 11:41:25 EST
From:   [log in to unmask] (Billy Stern)
Sender: [log in to unmask] (ST-PVT-FORESTS)
Reply-to:   [log in to unmask]
(ST-PVT-FORESTS)
To: [log in to unmask]

>From: [log in to unmask]
>Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 10:03:14 EST
>Subject: Press Release-State Forest Public Opnion Poll
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>The enclosed press release shows the overwhelming support of Maryland voters
>to protect our state forests from logging. After reading the enclosed press
>release, please take the time to call Governor Glendening's office and leave
>a message asking the Governor to end logging on public land in Maryland. His
>phone number is 1-800-811-8336 or e-mail address is [log in to unmask]
>
>PRESS RELEASE for November 5, 2001
>From:   Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation
>     Maryland Conservation Council
>     Sierra Club of Maryland
>For Additional Information Contact: Bob DeGroot
>                     301-340-8348
>
>The Citizens of Maryland Express Desire to Save State Forests
>
>A recently conducted poll of Maryland citizens reveals their strong desire to
>save Maryland's forests from the logging industry. Mason-Dixon Polling and
>Research surveyed a representative cross-section of registered Maryland
>voters, who voiced their interest in using forests for hiking, picnicking,
>hunting, fishing, and other activities.
>
>Of those polled, 79% enjoy participating in one of these activities in the
>forests, yet recreational received only 67% of the vote as being a very
>important activity while 82-89% thought providing clean air and water and
>habitat for wildlife was very important. When you include voters who consider
>forests are somewhat important for clean air, water and wildlife habitat,
>these numbers go as high as 96-98%.
>
>Hunting registered only 17% of the vote as a very important activity in
>forests, and a mere 4% identified logging for wood products as an important
>activity of state forests. The poll also shows that 78% of the voters would
>support additional "wildlands" designations in Maryland which specifically
>prohibit logging. Maryland citizens in the poll also indicated their
>willingness to spend tax dollars to purchase additional forests.
>
>Despite the opinions of these Maryland voters, the state still logs 50% of
>its state owned forests.  Bob DeGroot, President of the Maryland Alliance for
>Greenway Improvement and Conservation (MAGIC) said, "There appears to be a
>bias in favor of logging by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
>(DNR), the agency responsible for managing our forests.  DNR has managed a
>large portion of the state forests primarily for their wood products for
>decades, and has shown little interest in our recommendations to substitute
>recreational dollars for logging dollars."
>
>One reason for the reluctance of the Department of Natural Resource to stop
>logging hinges upon the fact that it receives significant revenue from the
>sale of timber products taken from state forests. DNR receives nearly $3
>million per year for allowing logging in state forests. Counties where the
>logging takes place also share in the proceeds. Because of these financial
>windfalls, DNR and the other beneficiaries have strong incentives to continue
>logging in spite of public opinion.
>
>Joan Willey, Conservation Chair of the Maryland Sierra Club states, "We are
>continuing to work with Maryland's DNR and the Governor's office to change
>logging practices in Maryland. Petitions requesting an end to commercial
>logging in state forests have been signed by hundreds of citizens. With only
>10% of Maryland's forests owned by the public, we have to do something to
>conserve them."
>
>Only time will tell what happens to Maryland's State forests, but at present
>the logging continues without any end in sight.
>

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