We continue our discussion in rebuttal to the recent Idaho Statesman series of articles [here], and for good measure, in rebuttal to an excruciatingly incompetent series of articles in support of Let Burn published in the Los Angeles Times [here].

Let It Burn is illegal, destructive of a multitude of forest and human values, is not cost-effective, and is the worst idea that ever came down the forest pike. Let me count the ways.

12. Let It Burn Has Cumulative Impacts

Let It Burn fires damage natural resources including flora, fauna, water, air, and soils. They also damage human resources including recreation, scenery, heritage, and land management agency budgets. The damages are not one time, nor ephemeral. They are lasting and they accumulate.

NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) defines cumulative impacts thusly:

Sec. 1508.7 Cumulative impact.

“Cumulative impact” is the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. …

The effects of a single Let-It-Burn fire are significant. The effects of numerous such fires accumulate and cause hugely significant effects over time to flora, fauna, historic and cultural resources, water quality and watersheds, air quality and airsheds, recreation, and national and local economies.

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