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 * * * * * * * * * * Eric G. Hurley 523 Northwestern Ave #1 Ames IA 50010-5922 515/232-2568 [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]