Considering the fact that fresh clean water is on the minds of every human worldwide these days , what if all the remaining forest land in the Miramichi watershed was back to the way it was in 1800. Of course leaving in place all the present day communities and services etc.etc. How many years would it take to do this , 25, 50 or maybe 100 years ? On a physical basis this could be achieved , politically it might be another story. As we all know there has been millions of dollars spent to buy out commercial fishermen in Miramichi Bay , NFLD and even as far away as Greenland so that we can have just a few more wild salmon here. There are commercial fishermen being paid not to kill Atlantic Salmon anymore . There are millions of dollars being put into growing trees faster and faster just to have them all cut down again and build more and more roads , all at the expense of the general health of the environment . So, considering the fact that the lumber industry appears to be in the ditch these days , it is conceivable to think that we could shut the forest industry completely down over the entire Miramichi watershed , all 820 km’s of river , north, south , east & west , as long as there was a generous compensation system in place for some and an alternative industry for others . Reallocate the millions of dollars that go into the forest industry here locally into a new and very bold adventure . If you were to ask any logging processor operator today that if he had a choice to work as a guide , field biologist or the like compared to what he is doing 60-70 hours a week now cramped up in the cab of a machine , to me the choice is obvious . Let the forest grow and die at it’s own pace without human interference. Only residential firewood cutting be allowed and under strict guidelines . Private woodlot owners are not making money anyway these days so maybe there is a better use of their land too .As for lumber to build our homes , no problem, bring it in from somewhere else , oh I forgot that is where most of it comes from now . Of all the miles of forest roads we will only maintain the major arterial routes and established access roads and trails to pools and camps , which would employ dozens . Plant the remaining thousands of acres of woods roads with nutritional wildlife feed and of course with ongoing maintenance . Block most of these areas off from all vehicle traffic allowing access to only people on foot or horseback for hunting or other recreation. The Miramichi forest industry could be replaced with a thriving and healthy national park type refuge/ camp grounds/ outfitters / biologists / organic farming ,even snowmobiling & ATV trail systems and numerous service business’s . We all still live here but with a different mind set .This would employ hundreds of science types alone to study the natural forest and waterways reclamation process . This type of industry would employ hundreds of local residents and attract thousands of wildlife enthusiast’s from around the world, not just a few fishermen . As for our fishing waters ,place every single fishing pool into a ZEC type access system . We would still maintain our present ownership for clubs, outfitters and private use but everyone , NB residents first of course , would have a reasonable chance to access every pool in the system whether it be Wilson’s Home pool or Rocky Brook or Black Brook . It would be great if on “New Brunswick Day” each year every square inch of the Miramichi was free to NB residents for that one special day .There are enough pools in this vast system to satisfy clubs, corporations , outfitters , guides and NB residents . There would have to be very strict development regulations in place to protect our world renowned Miramichi River National Park , the largest and most unique found anywhere . It would be kind of weird for a few years but can you imagine what the place would be like 50 years from now , one thing for sure is that we would have a cleaner healthier river with more fresh cold water for humans and animals to drink and more fish and wildlife for all to enjoy . If the Irving family and the provincial government were to buy in to this idea they would be viewed around the world as heroes. I would love to see someone with intelligence put this idea to pen and paper and crunch the numbers , you never know it may be more conceivable than most of you first think . Sincerely , Keith Wilson , Outfitter. blog at www.wilsonscamps.nb.ca