Dave,


I have been aware of this for over 20 years as I have friends with land in the area. They were approached about mineral rights in the early 80's. The issue about the roadless areas extends to Timber,all minerals and NG not just the NG. It may be on the table now as the first issue but there are others . I am also a taditional bow hunter and a back country horseman and both groups have been involved in this issue in this and other areas for at least 6 years. So don't play off others as ill informed because you went to some extremist conf. last week.

Secondly I never once advocated the use of wilderness areas for anything except recreation. I only pointed out that the checks and balances are there to make sure the best possible decision will be made in this matter. I also pointed out the hypocrisy of your environmentalism as situational at best and your bias to Bush's environmental positions. Like most NW liberals you want your cake as they say. You cannot live the way you do and point the finger to others as being the bad guys.


Have you ever seen how they explore for NG. I have . The Whisky Dick field between Eburg and Vantage in 1982, 83,84 . They drive research truck up and down roads shooting seismic waves into the rocks to create a gas feild map to guage the scope and possible yeild of the feild. They may drill a few test wells. They put Whisky Dick in reserve. I challenge you to drive over and take a few photos of the area and show us what kind of damage was done to that area as a result of this exploration. Show me downstream effect of the exploration on all levels of the ecosystem.

Lastly singing the song about leaving something behind for the kids is two faced and so far from realityit's silly. As long as you live the way you do it is inevitable that these areas will be under increased pressure before they are used for resources. Take it to the bank. To not see that we are all 100% guilty and an equal part of the problem is pure denial.