The allegation by Ron Capps (letters, Jan. 10) that the Norbeck Society is responsible for the mountain pine beetle infestation in the Black Hills is hilarious, but in case you missed the satire, I'll clarify.

The Norbeck Society began only five years ago in response to increases in unauthorized trails created by some off-roaders. We advocate sustainable management of public lands for enjoyment by future generations, as Peter Norbeck envisioned. Our volunteers comment on USFS projects involving travel management, logging, and watershed protection. We assist the USFS in many ways including trail improvements, and landscape cleanup and restoration.

The Norbeck Society has appealed only one project (Telegraph) where road construction was planned through a proposed walk-in area. This appeal was denied by the USFS, and was taken to court.

Mountain pine beetle is native to the Black Hills, occupying our natural ecosystem for millennia. It flourishes and wanes according to climate cycles and tree health. A history of forest management that maximizes tree growth by establishing a monoculture of evenly-spaced, similar-aged trees is ideal for beetle infestation. We support establishing clearings and diverse forests, similar to what Custer encountered, thus inhibiting beetle outbreaks, as well as catastrophic wildfires.

COLIN PATERSON

President, Norbeck Society

Rapid City