Protecting Allagash

A recent letter, “Allagash clear cuts” (BDN, March 3), correctly identified concerns Maine citizens have with the loss of our forests. The writer identified the Allagash and St. John Valley as immediate concerns. But one only has to drive along or fly over the whole Allagash Wilderness Waterway to realize just how much is being removed in what appears to be unsustainable forestry.

With recent mill closings and the downturn of the national economy, we should be questioning why so much wood is being harvested, how much is going to Canadian mills, and whether the woods industry will be viable in the coming years.

There has been so much change of ownership in the Maine North Woods in recent years that it is hard to know who is responsible for what. Today’s current practices seem to be leading us down the skidder path toward the harmful effects that come with the removal of our forest habitat. Such effects as: loss of deer yards, increased road building, transitional land ownership, and assaults on our forests’ natural character.

In 1966, Maine citizens established the Allagash Wilderness Waterway to develop the maximum wilderness character of the river. Maine citizens and state officials need to ensure that goal is achieved before it is too late.

Tim Caverly

Millinocket