Don:

I am not a biologist or a highly experienced birder. Professionally, I am
an electrical engineer. However, I have lived in the NW since 1955 and have
observed nature during that entire period. I also grew up on a farm. I am
also an environmentally aware person and generally support the positions of
the environmental community. However I do not necessarily support all
positions. I particularly find some of the more extreme positions
troubling. The debate regarding the Northern Spotted Owl is one of those.

Personally I find that this entire controversy over the Northern Spotted Owl
somewhat excessive. The major reason that the Owl became a significant
issue in the first place is that it was used by the environmental community
as a legal issue to force a reduction in the destruction of old growth
forests. The cutting of old growth forests occurred at an excessive level
particularly during the 1980's.

In regards to the particular issue of the Spotted Owl surviving and thriving
in 2nd forests, I feel that the Owl may do well in these forests provided
that there is sufficient diversity, habitat and food available. This in
turn means that the 2nd Growth forests must be somewhat similar to Old
Growth forests. That is, there should be some snags around and a variety of
tree species with different maturity levels. In essence this means that
logging must occur in a more benign manor, rather than the clear cutting
with replacement with a single species forest that has been prevalent in the
NW. I feel that the logging should be selective.

To support my view, I cite the natural occurrence of fires. We all know
that fire was a natural occurrence. Normally, fires were relatively cool
and did not destroy all life. Some snags were left standing and some trees
survived. Nature, would quickly repopulate these areas. I am also sure
that the Northern Spotted Owl would also quickly repopulate these areas.
However, these forests could by no stretch of the imagination be classified
as an "Old Growth Forest".

I have also personally seen a Spotted Owl in the Teanaway area on Boise
Cascade timber lands. These lands have almost all been logged. However, in
general there is still a diversity of habitat available They resemble old
growth forests in many ways.

In summary, my opinion is that the Northern Spotted Owl can thrive in 2nd
Growth forests. However these forest must provide suitable habitat.
Accordingly, the timber companies are partially correct in their message
that the Northern Spotted Owl can thrive in 2nd Growth forest. However, the
environmental community is also partially correct in that the Owl requires
habitat that provides some characteristics of old growth forests.
Basically, there is merit in both arguments. Accordingly, there is room for
compromise, provided that both sides are willing to moderate their rhetoric
and seek some common ground. However, that does not seem possible given our
current litigious climate.

At the risk of provoking some angry responses and a long drawn out thread, I
am posting this message on Tweeters. I subscribe to the digest version and
only check my email once per day, so any responses will be delayed.

Tom Merritt
Seattle. WA
Tmerritt at halcyon.com