Forest peace plan has promise

Thank you for printing Dan Hansen’s op-ed (May 1) on the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition. The hard work and dedication of all parties involved in this process represents a genuine success story that should be shared far and wide.

As someone who relies on our natural resources to do business but also appreciates the wildlife and wild places that make this region so special, I’ve never understood why we couldn’t find a middle ground and have both. The coalition’s leadership has given us that opportunity to maintain a vibrant timber economy while also safeguarding special places for recreation.

As a participant on many collaborative processes throughout the state of Idaho, I can truthfully say that the NEWFC has blazed the trail for the eventual success of these other groups and processes. Virtually all of the groups I serve on use the NEWFC as a model for everything from forest restoration guidelines to operating protocols and bylaws. If that is not a demonstration of their success, I don’t know what is. Maybe, just maybe, collaborative groups such as NEWFC can finally bring about an end to the timber wars.

Serena Carlson

Coeur d’Alene