LETTER: So what is true environmentalism?

True environmentalism is good stewardship of the land and resources that we have been given by our Creator. Like it or not, man is also part of our environment. Man was given dominion over the rest of creation (Genesis 1:27). His first job was as a gardener (Genesis 2:15). As good stewards, we may use the resources given to us, but we should leave them in as good or better condition than we found them.

Past articles have criticized the Forest Service and our elected officials for their efforts to serve multiple users and resource needs of the national forests. That is their mandate. Since their creation as Forest Reserves (1891) and later National Forests (1897), the intent was to preserve and protect public timberlands for future generations, securing favorable water flows and to furnish a continuous supply of timber for use and necessities of citizens of the United States.

Pinchot’s “greatest good for the greatest number in the long run” refers to people, not things.

Pseudo-environmentalists are debased because of their perceived collaboration in attempting get a workable plan for forest use. To a “true environmentalist” the term pseudo-environmentalist is used to refer to anyone who does not subscribe to their ideals.

To me, anyone who is on an ego trip to disrupt or stop any activity and/or searching for an opportunity to line their own pockets with dollars, rather than serving the people of the United States, falls into the category of pseudo-environmentalist. And that includes many of those listed in previous articles as “true environmentalists.” —Warren Williamson, Lakeside