The newspapers lately have been filled with stories on the issue of roadless lands in Montana and across the country. It is time the timber community’s voice is heard on this important issue because our families, businesses, towns, and very lives are heavily impacted by how all forested lands in Montana are managed.

The point that needs to be very clear is the people involved in all aspects of the forest products industry are strongly in favor of active management of national forests. These lands were set aside for multiple use purposes including timber harvest and that designation has not changed. Unfortunately, the gridlock under which the Forest Service operates has rendered these lands unhealthy for wildlife habitat, watersheds, recreation, and people. The folks living in and near national forests are at risk because of catastrophic wildfire and the timber infrastructure is at risk because of lack of active management and needed fiber supply. The situation is a “no win” for anyone.

The members of the Montana Wood Products Association and the Montana Logging Association believe in active forest management on all lands containing a suitable timber base whether roaded or unroaded. There are many land designations in places where logging will not occur — wilderness, designated wilderness study areas, monuments, and national parks. The promoters of more hands off, roadless lands are trying to end run Congress by creating defacto wilderness and tying up yet another six million acres of Montana ground thus making access by many of our citizens virtually impossible.

Our memberships took a strong stand against the Clinton roadless rule because it incorporated thousands of acres of land that need strong, active management. Many of the millions of acres already have developments located within them along with roads for accessibility. It was a poorly drafted, rushed piece of work that some insist had huge public backing but in reality it did not, at least according to official documents.

While the roadless rule issue is in front in the media and various officials have spoken about the timber industry, we want the record to be clear that what we strongly favor is active management on public lands. Estimates nationwide are that 191 million acres of public land is at severe risk because of unhealthy conditions. There is a dramatic need for hazardous fuel reduction, the use of biomass products, watershed restoration, and ways to deal with insects and disease. Large landscape projects are needed to promote clean air, clean water, and safe wildlife habitat — things all Montanans want on public lands. We will not achieve these goals by locking up over six million acres of land in Montana with some flawed thought process. These attributes occur because of active forest management.

The issue of whether Montana contains enough roads on our public lands is a matter of opinion. Roads are needed when wildfires break out and threaten communities and citizens. Roads are needed for those who have a right to enjoy the outdoors but cannot physically walk into a wild place. Roads are needed for all of the multiple uses designated by law.

The question posed at times for those of us in the timber industry is whether more roads are needed for harvest purposes? There are many places on national forest land where there is a huge supply of merchantable timber that could provide commodities and employment and there are no roads. The logging industry is completely capable of harvesting fiber without need of building permanent roads.

Does this mean roads should not be built ever into the future? Since none of us know what the future holds and because forests are dynamic and therefore constantly changing, it is best to leave the option available for future land managers.

We cannot emphasize enough that the MWPA and MLA support active forest management on suitable timber acres whether those acres are roaded or unroaded. The care of the national forests should be left in the hands of forestry professionals who are very capable of making decisions about what is best for the land we all love and enjoy.

Steve Flynn is president of the Montana Wood Products Association and Rich Tatarka is president of the Montana Logging Association.