In response to my comments at the High Country Press website, where I copy and pasted this post:
Cam825:
I think John might be missing one key point. The Forest Service study only deals with visitation to national forests. Yet, in the High Country we have the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather State Park, and much much more. Over 19 million people visit the Blue Ridge Parkway each year. I guess that number wouldn't pass John's laugh test either. The simple truth is that protection of natural areas is a boost to the economy and every survey available proves that point and shows that the biggest detriment to visitation in the mountains is loss of scenic views.
Bob:
I agree with Cam. The unique qualities here in the High Country must include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather State Park, Julian Price Memorial Park, ...heck even the Linville Gorge area. Our home here in the mountains rivals The Great Smokies National Park and brings an enormous number of visitors each year. Only looking at the National Forest visitation ignores other draws, but excluding the uniqueness of the Pisgah NF here (cutting or diminishing the view) would most likely injure visitations and the strong local economy. Interesting discussion.
John Whitehead:
Cam825,
The study being used explicitly attempts to measure increased visitation to Pisgah as a result of scenic area designation. Using distorted numbers doesn't help the cause, it only allows those who are against designation ammunition to argue that you are using bogus numbers in order to achieve your goals. I don't think that is the best strategy.
Note that I don't dispute any of the qualitative statements that Cam825 or Bob are making.
Cam825 and Bob (if that is their real names! :) do not realize it, but the point they are making is that there are a lot of better destinations in the High Country than the Globe area of Pisgah National Forest. So, a little bit of clear cutting in the Globe area won't make much difference to visitation at these other areas. A little bit of clear cutting might actually increase visitation at substitute sites.
Bob reiterates my point, clear cutting would reduce the number of visits, not increase visits by 1.5 million. An estimate of the reduced number of visits to Pisgah National Forest as a result of clear cutting is the big unknown.
*Jane, you ignorant ...
