Pearce rally backs local forestry in Otero County

Rep. Steve Pearce

Surrounded by supporters, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce cut down a tree during a ceremonial event Saturday near Cloudcroft intended to pressure the U.S. Forest Service to change management practices on the Lincoln National Forest. Pearce said he believes the event was stunning. "When people decide they're going to stand up and take a stand on principle, it's always magnificent," he said. "It's about safety of the community, jobs and the Constitution. We've been having a discussion back and forth with the county, the state and federal government for the last three or four weeks. It finally came to a head last week. The Forest Service decided they didn't want to pursue it. They didn't want the fight or injunctions." At the actual tree-cutting site, Pearce cut down a Douglas fir tree on a one-quarter acre parcel of land near the Sleepy Grass Campground in the Lincoln National Forest. (Commission Chairman) Rardin said he is hopeful the Forest Service will embrace the county's management plan. Cloudcroft Mayor Dave Venable said he wanted to thank county commissioners, Pearce and the crowd of supporters in attendance for coming to the event. "This is a beginning," Venable said. "This is really the beginning."...more