Cooper will protect forests, help schools

I am disappointed with your Oct. 12 endorsement of Doug Sutherland for commissioner of public lands. You rightly point out that the lands commissioner’s chief goal is to balance the need to generate revenue from public lands with managing the lands for the long-term. That is why I am concerned about your endorsement.

Sutherland’s 10-year sustainable harvest plan includes increasing logging in the state of Washington by 30 percent. This harvest plan does not include protecting old-growth trees, permits logging near riparian areas (presenting a potential threat to salmon habitat), and allows clear-cutting. My main concern with the plan is that it does not provide a sustainable source of revenue for schools over the long term. In fact, the revenue generated from the public lands for the school construction fund will decrease over time. The sustainable harvest plan is just not that sustainable.

That is why I believe Mike Cooper is the best candidate for the job. He envisions protecting old-growth forests, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and exploring additional revenue sources for the school construction fund. Voting for Mike Cooper means a vote for both our forest and our schools.

John Patchamatla

Everett