Clean up the slag in Echo Basin

(Editor’s note: The following letter, which was cc-ed to us, was sent to Scott Owen, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.)
Dear Mr. Owen,
As you are aware, your agency has received harsh criticism as of late regarding your prescribed burn policies. The latest accident related to that burn policy has resulted in a 300,000-acre fire still burning in Northern N.M. It has decimated dozens of ancient communities and still threatens the Pecos Wilderness, Red River, Angel Fire and Taos. The logic behind the burns is to reduce wood fuels on forest floors.
Let us talk about Echo Basin, outside of Mancos. You have been allowing clear cutting operations in this area for the past several years. That’s a good thing. The dead aspen are being utilized by a local mill in Mancos to make valuable wood products.
What is alarming and unacceptable is the condition the work areas have been left in. Dozens of huge wood slag piles and logs are spread out all over the forest floor. That has added fuel to the forest floor and should be removed and cleaned up ASAP. They should not be left for another fire disaster or prescribed burn.
How is this type of log-cutting contracting being justified?
– Mike Murphy, Marvel