Seattle's Watershed Controversy

Is logging compatible with watershed protection? The courts of the State of Washington believe it is in deciding against Seattle's contention that the forest is a necessary and integral part of its water system. A large mass of scientific and quasi-scientific arguments were presented though most of the testimony seems to have been opinions. Both sides employed well-known foresters as expert witnesses. The conflicting nature of the testimony in this first big case involving forest influences, points to the inconclusiveness of much of our knowledge concerning the effect of forests on precipitation, run-off, air temperature, and erosion. In attempting to give an impartial description of the case the author makes no critical comments on the arguments offered. For these the student of forest influences must consult the court records. He would find them stimulating.