1/20/06
HOMEFRONT ACTION NEEDED ON WALDEN LOGGING BILL
A new version of a bad old idea – salvage logging– is
set to emerge as the House of Representatives gets under way at
the end of the month.
The deceptively titled "Forest Emergency Recovery and Research
Act" (H.R. 4200) was introduced last November by Reps. Greg
Walden (R-OR) and Brian Baird (D-WA). The bill would make it easier
for the U.S. Forest Service to mount logging and roadbuilding projects
after natural events such as forest fires in national forests, ignoring
ecosystem, watershed, and wildlife protections.
The "natural events" defined in the bill include not only
wildfires but also insect outbreaks, droughts and windstorms. The
bill specifically waives National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
review for logging and other potentially damaging actions, shortcuts
the Endangered Species Act and denies citizens input on projects
that would impact publicly owned forests.
The bill is expected to be heard as soon as the House reconvenes
in late January.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
The House is in recess until the end of the month, but forest issues
never sleep!
Please let your member of Congress know about the overwhelming opposition
to the Walden bill's attack on the national forests.
If you can, attend a town hall meeting for your representative and
raise this issue in person.
Or write to your representative at his or her home office and let
them know that you want them to oppose the Walden Salvage Logging
bill.
To find out how to contact your representative and to find out town
hall meeting schedules, please go to the representatives’
websites listed at:
http://www.house.gov/
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Rep. ______________,
Rep. Greg Walden’s (R-OR) "Forest Emergency Recovery
and Research Act," introduced last November, would throw out
protections for forests, fish and wildlife in order to rush through
logging on national forests after natural events such as rainstorms,
fires, and droughts. The bill would exempt damaging logging projects
from the environmental review and oversight requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act and cut the public out of decisions
that would harm America’s public forests.
The Walden logging bill claims that logging, roadbuilding and artificial
replanting are necessary after natural disturbances in forests.
However, according to the best available science, there is no ecologically
valid need to log forests after these disturbances.
Congress does not need to grant new authority to the Forest Service.
The agency has plenty of existing authority to respond quickly to
natural disturbances on national forests.
This unnecessary, destructive, and costly piece of legislation should
never become law. Please vote no on H.R. 4200, the Forest Emergency
Recovery and Research Act.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
The American Lands Alliance website has more info on the Walden
bill. Visit them at:
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