| Time's running out to save our wild forests |
| In July, the Bush administration proposed to repeal protections for 58.5
million acres of America's pristine national forests. This proposal would allow many of President Bush's top campaign contributors in the timber, mining and oil industries to log, mine, and drill in pristine areas that provide 60 million Americans with clean drinking water and provide habitat for over 1600 endangered species. The Bush administration proposal would repeal the Roadless Rule that was enacted in January 2001 to protect 58.5 million acres of our last wild forests from logging and road-building. The Roadless Rule ensures that forests will continue to provide clean drinking water, habitat for wildlife, and endless opportunities for recreation and solitude. It was finalized after decades of scientific study, 600 public hearings, and 1.6 million comments in support of the rule. It is the most popular conservation initiative in our nation's history; more than 2.5 million Americans have submitted comment supporting the rule. This support has reached into every sector of society. Even major wood products consumers like Staples, K.B. Homes and Hayward Lumber think logging America's last pristine forests makes so little sense that they've written the Bush administration to urge protection of America's roadless national forests. Now, it's only extremist elements of the timber, oil and mining industries that support logging these areas - but it's those elements that the Bush administration is listening to. Fortunately, we now have the opportunity to stand up to these powerful industries and send a clear message to the Bush administration that Americans want to protect our last pristine forests. Please take a moment right now to submit an official comment to Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. Then - even if you've never done so before - ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this along; there is no more important time to act. |
|
Copy of letter to US Forest Service |
| Dear Forest
Service Chief Dale Bosworth, I strongly oppose your July 12th proposal to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. We must protect our wild forests from road-building and commercial logging so that they continue to provide clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. Your proposal to repeal the roadless rule and replace it with a process that allows governors to petition for protections -- or for logging, mining, and road-building -- for roadless areas in their states gives no guarantee of protection. I urge you to reconsider this misguided proposal and to instead keep the Roadless Rule intact in the Lower 48 and in Alaska's Chugach National Forest and reinstate the rule in the Tongass National Forest. Sincerley, |
| http://www.fs.fed.us/
USDA Forest Service |