by Loren J. Easter

What would a day be without another letter about Bell Smith Springs? I would like to use Professor Ashby’s letter from Sept. 11 as an outline for an opposing view.

The issues here are part of the real world, and all parties involved need to treat it as such. Calling names, making insults and generally throwing stones is not the way to resolve the situation. The issues need to be dealt with maturely and responsibly.

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To answer the question of what will protesters leave behind:if those who protest succeed, an undepreciated recreation area will remain for all to enjoy. If the loggers succeed, what remains is a logged-out recreation area that the public will be unable to enjoy for many years.

The public majority that seeks to enjoy recreation areas only wish to see intact ecosystems whether it be pine, hardwood or a mixture. The public enjoys recreation areas through trails and campgrounds. What will be left of these after the logging?

Bird species and other wildlife residing in Bell Smith Springs immediately would be affected by logging operations. Negative stress would be put on these populations. Without logging, the present populations gradually would adapt to, or move out of, the area as natural succession occurred. Hardwood species would move in as the ecosystem allowed, instead of when the forest recovers from logging operations.

What economic opportunity will exist when non-local timber companies get done harvesting Pope County forests? I don’t think tourists will come to enjoy the Bell Smith Springs logging site. The people of this economically depressed region and the Not in My Back Yard-types are, at times, one and the same. SIUC students, as visitors to the area, and residents are protesting to protect the beauty of Southern Illinois.

Recreation areas such as Bell Smith Springs are established to provide a natural ecosystem to be enjoyed intact and undepreciated by all generations. Restaurants and amusement parks may temporarily get closed by management for remodeling. National forest recreation areas don’t.