Clearcut logging has also done a lot to help provide additional browse for deer, elk, and other species who live there year round.

As with any harvesting practice there will be some impact on the flora and fauna in the area. Some species benefit, some don't.

With the low finished lumber prices (not including the last two months), and the Canadians flooding the market, even with a 27% tariff, production in the US has shifted somewhat to getting the most out of a particular stand of timber. Timber harvests, especially in private forests, are more selective (except for some of the "Campbell Group" operations.). They make sure they take the "poles" first, then selectively log for saw logs. Pecker poles for pulp are last. There are also stricter regulations on leaving "wildlife trees", etc.

Some operations are still basic clearcut deals, but there are streamside setbacks here in the US that the timber companies have to abide by.

Sure we can gripe about it the past, but what is your house made out of? Many positive changes have been made, and it is getting better.

One big shift has been the implementation of "pulp wood" farms where they have planted lowland river bottom areas with hybrid Poplars/Cottonwoods. This has taken some of the stress away from the coniferous forests, especially when you consider some of these hybrid farms can be harvested every 9-15 years instead of only every 40-60 years.

Many industries have had a negative impact on our environment, the timber industry is only one of them.

Andy