adambeck7 wrote:
Comments like that of azdryheat seem so strange to me. National Forests and Parks were created to preserve their natural beauty, not to create a playground for dirt bikes, speed boats and RVs. I'm hoping to god that these public treasures never become privatized and developed.
The National Forests were created to facilitate rural economic development while protecting forested watersheds.
They were not created to protect from logging, but to
increase logging to benefit local communities, under the oversight of professional foresters who would harvest timber while protecting and maintaining the values. Multiple use is mandated by law. Wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation are supposed to be given equal weight.
National Wildlife Refuges were created for hunting.
National Parks exist to preserve the natural features while simultaneously providing for public access and enjoyment. That is in the National Parks Organic Act.
Read Teddy Roosevelt's autobiography for his own words on why he created National Forests and other public lands. He never intended public lands to be locked up like a museum, look but don't touch.
