We have been deluged by responses to Barry Wynsma's thoughtful essay on Forest Service leadership - or the lack thereof. Provided here is some feedback on the essay.
W.V. "Mac" McConnell writes from Florida. He is a U.S. Forest Service retiree whose Power Point presentations have appeared on our website many times. His latest efforts are nearby: an updated version of his earlier "Timber Resource Management" Power Point and a fascinating photograph, "One Landscape: Four Views," that shows what is happening on adjacent public and private forests at Deep Creek, near Townsend, Montana.
Editor's comment concerning Mike Petersen's (Executive Director - Lands Council) Response To Dr. Tom Bonnicksen's Essay, "Death Of A Forest: Why We Should Care"
U.S. and Canadian softwood sawmilling capacity declined by more than 24 million cubic meters over the last three years. This according to the U.S. Forest Service which, in a just released report, says that 150 mills were shut down between 2006 and 2009. The collapse of U.S. and Canadian housing markets is the primary reasons for the decline. Click below to read the full report.
USFS 2009 Sawmill Study 
human need to use natural resources is fundamental to our continued presence on earth."