[mou] conservation FW: ACTION NEEDED TO HELP PROTECT AMERICA'S RAINFOREST

[fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us]

=46riends-

This is a conservation issue, as well as a political one.  I did want to
forward it just to keep people appraised and offer them the option of
voicing their opinions.  I have not included mine.

Randy Frederickson
MOU conservation committee
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Alaska Rainforest Campaign <rain_listmgr@akrain.org>
>> To: <ara@akrain.org>
>> Date: 7/15/2003 11:28:46 AM
>> Subject: ACTION NEEDED TO HELP PROTECT AMERICA'S RAINFOREST
>>
>>
>> BATTLE TO PROTECT AMERICA=EDS RAINFOREST HEATS UP ON TWO FRONTS
>>
>> FROM THE WHITE HOUSE =F1
>> Today the Bush administration bowed to corporate special interests and
>moved to strip America's Rainforest from the landmark Roadless Rule. A
>public comment period is open through August 14, 2003.
>>
>> ON CAPITOL HILL =F1
>> The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote, as early as tomorrow,
>on a Roadless Amendment to keep the Roadless Rule intact!
>>
>> TAKE ACTION:
>>
>> 1. Tell the Bush Administration you oppose their plans to exempt the
>Tongass and Chugach National Forests in Alaska from the Roadless Rule. Send
>an email today online: www.akrain.org! (Information about alternative ways
>to comment is included at the bottom of this alert.)
>>
>> 2. Call (1-800-839-5276 or 202-224-3121) your U.S. Representative and ask
>them to vote YES on the Roadless Rule Amendment to protect America=EDs
>rainforest in Alaska!
>>
>>
>> THE ISSUE:
>> Today, the Bush administration took the first procedural swipe at the
>landmark Roadless Area Conservation Rule by proposing to strip protections
>from America=EDs rainforest in Alaska =F1 fully one-quarter of the lands
>protected by the Rule. The official notice appeared in the Federal Register
>and kicks off two, simultaneous 30-day public comment periods on the
>administration=EDs proposed exemptions of the Tongass and Chugach National
>Forests in Alaska from the Roadless Rule.
>>
>> The Rainforest comment periods are the first opportunity the public has
>to officially comment on the Bush administration's attempts to gut the
>Roadless Rule. The administration is also expected, later this year, to
>propose to allow state governors to apply for exemptions from the Roadless
>Rule in their states. During development of the Rule, 2.2 million public
>comments were received in favor of enacting the conservation policy.  More
>Americans took part in this rulemaking process than in any other federal
>rulemaking in history. Yet despite pledges to uphold the Roadless Rule, the
>Bush administration is moving to dismantle it.
>>
>> In anticipation of the Roadless Rule exemptions, the administration has
>already been planning for more industrial-scale logging in the Tongass. It
>has already scheduled close to 50 timber sales in roadless areas protected
>the Rule. These sales would effectively take the best of what=EDs left in t=
he
>Tongass. Over 70 percent of the biggest and best trees have already been
>clearcut in the Tongass.
>>
>> In Congress =F1 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives will, as ear=
ly
>as tomorrow, have the opportunity to vote in support of the popular
>Roadless Rule. Leaders in the House are expected to offer an amendment to
>the Department of Interior Appropriations Bill that would limit the Bush
>administration=EDs ability to undermine the Roadless Rule.
>>
>> ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO COMMENT ON THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION=EDS PROPOSALS:
>>
>> Be sure to send copies of your letters to each address listed so that it
>will be counted for each of the two simultaneous official comment periods!
>>
>> EMAIL:
>> * roadlesstnf@fs.fed.us
>> ** roadlessanpr@fs.fed.us
>>
>> MAIL TO:
>> *  Roadless TNF, Content Analysis Team, USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box
>22810, Salt Lake City, UT 84122
>> ** Roadless ANPR, USFS Content Analysis Team, P.O. Box 22777, Salt Lake
>City, UT 84122
>>
>> FAX:
>> * (801) 880-2808
>> ** (801) 880-3311
>>
>> *Addresses for comments on the proposed temporary regulation of the
>Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule
>> **Addresses for comments on the advanced notice of public rulemaking
>proposing to permanently exempt the Tongass from the Roadless Rule and
>extend the exemption to include the Chugach National Forest.
>>
>>
>> SAMPLE LETTER:
>> Dear Chief Dale Bosworth,
>>
>> I strongly support the Roadless Area Conservation Rule as it was issued
>in January 2001 and oppose the proposed exemptions of the Tongass and
>Chugach National Forests, our nation=EDs two largest national forests, from
>the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
>>
>> The Roadless Rule, a landmark conservation policy, has the overwhelming
>support of the American people. Safeguarding our wild forests from road
>building, commercial logging, mining and drilling benefits everyone
>including those who hunt, fish, hike, camp and recreate on these public
>lands. To exempt America=EDs rainforest =F1 one-quarter of our nation=EDs
>roadless forests =F1 from protection is unwarranted and unwanted.
>>
>> Please accept this as my official comment opposing the proposed temporary
>exemption of the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule and the
>advance notice of proposed rulemaking to make permanent the Tongass
>exemption and extend it to the Chugach National Forest (36 CFR Parts 219
>and 294).
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> ***
>>
>> Thank you for taking action! If you have any questions please contact
>Laurie Cooper (laurie@alaskacoalition.org).
>>
>> If at anytime you wish to unsubscribe please visit
>http://www.akrain.org/howtohelp/default.asp where you can easily remove
>yourself from the list.
>>
>> Thanks for your support.
>>
>> Alaska Rainforest Campaign Staff.
>