Dear Editor,

In the recent article about the "Endangered Forests, Endangered Freedoms Roadshow" sponsored by Virginia Forest Watch (Sept. 25), Michael Mortimer, policy chairman for the Virginia Society of American Foresters, was quoted as saying that the Forest Service should increase its harvesting of timber in the Jefferson National Forest to remedy the Jefferson’s "main problem. . . that the forest does not have enough variety in terms of age and diversity." I finding this an amazing statement from a man who represents an industry that has done its best to create a monoculture of loblolly pine throughout Virginia. Worse yet, it has been done with the full cooperation of the Virginia Department of Forestry for whom the sale of loblolly seedlings is a major source of income. A flyover, or even a drive over, the southern half of the state reveals tens of thousands of acres of loblolly pine, all identical, all virtually useless when it comes to sustaining wildlife, useless even for small sawmill owners, yet perfect for sustaining the chip mill and pulp industry.

Do not be fooled that the timber industry has the welfare of the national forests or any woodland in mind; their only interest is bottom-line dollars in their pockets.

Kathy Liston

Brookneal, VA