Your comments needed, deadline looms!
The Obama administration has developed sweeping new rules that will determine the fate of America's 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands for the 21st century. Across the country, these treasured public lands provide vital protection for fish and wildlife, clean drinking water for millions of people and popular recreation destinations.
Threats to our forests, such as from inappropriate logging and energy development, and from climate change, require a management strategy that must be based on sound science; that incorporates strong national standards to maintain viable fish and wildlife populations; and that provides consistent national safeguards for water and wildlife and that can't be thwarted by special interests.
We need your help! Our forests need your support.
Please comment NOW! Here's how.To be considered, comments must be received in writing by
May 16, 2011. Comments may be submitted electronically at:
http://www.govcomments.com/http://www.regulations.gov
via hard copy to:
Forest Service Planning DEIS
c/o Bear West Company
132 E 500 S, Bountiful
Utah 84010
or by sending a fax to 801-397-1605. Please identify your written comments by including
"planning rule" on the cover sheet or the first page.
Comments are available for public inspection at:
http://contentanalysisgroup.com/fsr/.
A copy of the proposed rule and other information about the planning rule can be found at
www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule.
Sample comment letter: Please put in your own words and expand as you are able.
Dear Secretary Vilsack,Our forests deserve a solid, science based planning rule. Please adopt a National Forest management package that provides clear and consistent national standards so that National Forests must maintain viable fish and wildlife populations, as well as clear and consistent standards for watershed protection on National Forests nationwide. Any acceptable National Forest management plan must also adhere to the best available science. Our forests are too important to allow special interests to sway decision making at the local level for the benefit of the few. Please accept this as my official comment on the revisions of the National Forest management rules. Our forests and the nation's rivers and streams depend on strong national rules for their continued protection.Thanks,Thanks for participating in this important process!
Wayne Jenkings, Georgia ForestWatch Director
