The spotted owl requires substantial, connected habitat of old growth forest to survive.  It is imperative that federal agencies use the best science to determine the means to ensure the survival of this species.  To cherry-pick from obscure studies that suggest that spotted owls survive outside old growth forests is disingenuous and fraudulent.  Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 massively increase land for intensive logging with little concern for the spotted owl.

As well, while interactions between other owl species and spotted owls may account for some population decrease in the latter, this is most certainly not the cause of the original decrease in spotted owl populations.  That reduction can be directly tied to logging of old growth forests in decades past.

Finally, it is important to note that North West communities value federal lands as increasingly important for recreation, hunting, hiking, and more.  To excessively give away lands to timber companies -- as Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 do -- is a poor and unrealistic option.

It is highly likely that the Democratic Party will capture both the Presidency and both chambers next year.  It is prudent and wise for so-called "scientists" and other Bush lackeys to recognize the coming change in the political winds.  To be on the pro-logging side, as Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 most certainly are, is to be on the wrong side, career-wise, of the government.