August 25, 1976
Page 27628
Mr. MUSKIE. I am sorry I was not on the floor earlier to hear the debate. I commend the Senator for raising it. I share his concern about the consequences of indiscriminate clear cutting. I supported the motion to table, not because I disagree with his objective, but on the basis of my discussion with people who are interested in the forests of my State. I am persuaded that clear cutting can be a useful forest management tool if used with discrimination and with care.
I may change my view about that, but as I read the bill and noted the input of the distinguished Senator from West Virginia to some of the policy guidelines that were written into the bill, it seemed to me that there was general agreement on the part of the committee and the Senator from West Virginia, as well as myself, that we must have a careful policy guideline to the use of clear cutting not only with respect to the national forests, of which we have very little in my State, but of our forests generally.
I am concerned that failure to recognize the limitations of clear cutting has done damage and can do greater damage.
So I applaud the Senator from West Virginia for raising the question, for persisting in pointing out dangers, and he has done it in the kind of spirit that I have found typical of him.
Mr. RANDOLPH. I am appreciative of the comments of my colleague from Maine.