Creation's caretakers

Several years ago I had the opportunity to visit the Amazon Forest of South America. I was appalled at the loss of flora and fauna because of man's clearcutting and slashandburn methods of deforestation. What wanton disregard for a priceless resource for the welfare of mankind and the ecology of the world. Little did I know that before our very eyes we would see the same thing happening across the mountains, foothills and plains of our beloved North Carolina. Clearcutting and the erosion that follows disregard a precious resource and handiwork of God. Both old timber, 405080100 years of growth and saplings are cut and hauled away to feed some mechanical processing giant that has no conscience.

However, man does have a conscience. Man is also a steward of his Godgiven resources. A steward is a caretaker; someone who jealously guards and defends someone else's property. In this case, it belongs to God, and mankind is the beneficiary. I am not one to stand in the way of freedom of man's will or of free enterprise. I am one to advocate for preservation, stewardship of the earth and a future for our children.

At the very, very least where clearcutting is done it should be written into law that trees should be replanted on the 1and with responsibility belonging to the land owners and wood cutters.

Richard N. Bass

Rutherfordton, NC