Apparently my phone hates WSJ today. I'm fine with that. So I haven't read the article, but I'll way in with my uninformed opinion anyway, because, well, THE INTERNET!
Forest management is absolutely critical, regardless where in the world it is. In a great many cases, the answer is to leave things alone, but that is not always the case. Where forests are populated, or are in proximity to populations, they must be managed. Aside from mankind's hunger for timber products, there is also simple safety to consider. The risk of wildfire MUST be mitigated and averted.
The historical mismanagement of North America's forests have created the catastrophic conditions present across the country, and must be rectified. However, those who claim the best of intentions, whilst being chronically uninformed, and or, misinformed, have hobbled nearly all efforts to manage the forests, while simultaneously degrading an entire industry to a mere shadow of its former self. Likewise, the potential for the logging industry to become a responsible, sustainable, vibrant industry in large portions of this country is being actively hamstrung.
OK, ranty pants are off now.