Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 23:21:59 +0100 From: info <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Forest Protection Efforts Will Move Forward Despite Republican Administration ----- forwarded message ----- Subject: [gaia-l] Forest Protection Efforts Will Move Forward Despite Republican Administration Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 07:14:45 -0400 (AST) From: Mark Graffis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: All Activists From: Steve Holmer Date: February 13, 2001 Forest Protection Efforts Will Move Forward Despite Republican Administration Rather than accepting gloom and doom as an inevitable consequence of a Republican Administration, American Lands and grassroots forest activists will continue efforts to protect old growth and roadless areas, define and promote restoration, designate new Wilderness, stop bad timber sales and end commercial logging on public lands. While there is no question that we may face perilous riders and renewed threats to protections already won, such as an effort to rollback the roadless policy, by defeating these attacks we can lay the foundation for a new generation of forest protection efforts in the near future. Here is a very brief roundup on a number of current issues: Roadless Areas at Risk American Lands is working as part of the Heritage Forest Campaign to ensure that the roadless area protection policy is not overturned by the Bush Administration, Congress or the courts. Activists are encouraged to contact their Senators and Representatives in support of the policy. For an action alert please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/timber.htm and for a roadless area factsheet, please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/roadlessed.htm Old Growth Forest Protection on Public Lands In addition, pressure continues to build to end old growth logging on public lands due to the outstanding efforts of forest monitors filing appeals and litigation to halt illegal logging. Chief Michael Dombeck also made recent statements calling on the Forest Service to protect old growth forests. The Chief outlined a multi-year process to protect and restore old growth through the forest planning process. While inadequate because this does not provide immediate protection for all old growth on National Forests, it is important that the Chief has recognized and supported our call for ending old growth logging. For an old growth factsheet please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/oldgrowthed.htm Restoration of Public Lands American Lands is working in conjunction with other grassroots activists, scientists, and forest practitioners to better define restoration. After a restoration platform is developed and agreed to, we will work to convince Congress and the Administration to support increases in spending and policy changes to implement the program. Fire is driving the forest management debate in Congress and is one of the major restoration issues that our community must address. For a factsheet on Fire and Forest Management please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/fireed.htm In addition, many other issues need to be addressed such as removing cows, roads, dams, invasive species and other impediments to ecological recovery. For a factsheet on grazing see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/grasslands_&_deserts.htm Eastern Forests Need Protection In conjunction with other eastern forest activists and organizations, American Lands will be launching an Eastern Forest Protection Campaign this spring. Air pollution, invasive species, off-road vehicles and logging are threaten to undermine the recovery of eastern forests. For more information about eastern forest issues, please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/eastern_forest_issues.htm and to get involved with this campaign, please contact Kristen Sykes, Eastern Forest Advocate, 202/547-9134, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Wilderness Legislation We expect to see a number of state and regional wilderness bills to be introduced this year and for others to continue building support in the 107th Congress. New bills to protect forest areas of Washington State, Vermont, California will be introduced and many others are currently under development. The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act which proposes to protect 16 million acres and create wilderness restoration zones has been reintroduced by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) with the same bill number, H.R. 488, it had in the 106th Congress. The bill reached a record level of support in the last Congress with 106 cosponsors. For more information please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/nrepa,hr.htm Off Road Vehicles, Access Fees and Recreational Development The growing abuse of public lands by off-road vehicles (ORVs), dirt bikes and jetskis must be halted. Intensive recreational and commercial development also threaten to turn the public lands into nothing more than a scenic backdrop for entertaining tourists and providing new and unique shopping opportunities. For a complete update on these issues please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/recinfo.htm Endangered Species Face New Threats We face a crisis of extinction. Globally, fish, wildlife, and plants are disappearing at 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural rate. In the US, a third of our species are at risk. Habitat destruction due to logging, livestock grazing, dams and water projects, mining, urban sprawl, and other sources is the leading threat to 80% of species officially recognized as imperiled. Invasive species are also a serious threat to native ecosystems and species. The Endangered Species Act is already under attack with new legislation proposed in the 107th Congress to rewrite its provision and undermine the protection of species and their habitats. For a factsheet on the Endangered Species Act see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/esa%20&%20hcps.htm County Payments Legislation Being Implemented by the Forest Service The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (the County Payments bill) was signed into law by President Clinton on October 30, 2000 (Public Law 106-393). Since then, there have been many questions about the details of the Act and how it will be implemented. Why do forest activists need to be aware about how the Act will be implemented? The Act can potentially be harmful to the environment depending on how a county decides to spend their project funds. Since, the Act has little environmental sideboards on what types of land management projects would be allowed it is important for activists to participate in and monitor the activities of the RACs. For a factsheet on the legislation and information on how you can help please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/implementation_alert.htm Stopping the Federal Logging Program - Timber Sale Teach In April 24 Efforts to stop harmful logging projects, to reduce logging subsidies and to pass legislation to end commercial logging on federal lands are continuing. The National Forest Protection and Restoration Act, H.R. 1396 in the 106th Congress, sponsored by Reps. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and Jim Leach (R-IA) will be reintroduced this spring. The timber sale program continues to lose money and dominate the Forest Service budget at the expense of other programs. American Lands will continue efforts to eliminate logging subsidies and redirect funds to pay for needed restoration programs by supporting amendments in the House and Senate. For a factsheet on the Forest Service Timber Budget, please see http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/restoration.htm On April 24, the National Forest Protection Alliance, Sierra Club, and US PIRG, and American Lands will be sponsoring a national Timber Sale Teach In to raise awareness in Congress about destructive logging projects. Key Representatives and Senators will be asked to have the targeted sales canceled. More information about the Teach In will be sent out soon. Forest Protection Lobby Week June 3-8 American Lands will be hosting a forest protection lobby week June 3-8 which will cover the issues listed above and any pending anti-environmental threats. The week will begin on Sunday with a lobby training session and issue briefings. Travel scholarships and housing assistance are available. If you are interested in participating, please contact Lisa Dix, American Lands Campaign, 202/547-9267, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]. Staff Contact List The American Lands staff is dedicated to supporting grassroots forest activists and are available to answer questions and provide additional information and help. A copy of the American Lands staff directory is available at http://www.americanlands.org/forestweb/staffcontacts.htm Steve Holmer Campaign Coordinator American Lands 726 7th Street SE Washington, D.C. 20003 202/547-9105 202/547-9213 fax mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.americanlands.org To subscribe or unsubscribe please send a message to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ..............
