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August 14, 2002  
We the undersigned, endorse the following petition:
Save the Tongass National Forest
Target: Dale Bosworth Forest Service Chief
Sponsor: Heritage Forests Campaign

pen nibSIGNATURES.27,109

pen nibGOAL: 12,000

pen nibDEADLINE: 8-14-2002

America's last great temperate rainforest - Alaska's Tongass National Forest - is once again under assault from the timber industry and its allies. The Bush administration has recommended that more than 9 million acres - more than one-half - of this spectacular old growth forest receive absolutely no protection whatsoever, opening the doors wide for big timber and mining interests who want to exploit this national treasure.

With more than 30 timber sales moving forward in the Tongass, we need you to take action NOW. The Forest Service has asked for public comment on the plan by August 14th! Please tell the Forest Service today that you want this area protected.

The Tongass National Forest stretches for 500 miles along Alaska's spectacular southeastern coastline. A dramatic landscape of glacial fjords, volcanic mountains, misty rainforests, giant conifers, and luxurious tundra, the Tongass -- at 17 million acres the largest U.S. national forest -- contains rich salmon spawning grounds and prime grizzly bear habitat. It also boasts the world's densest population of bald eagles.

Because of the unique nature of the Tongass, a federal court required the Bush Administration to review all roadless areas for permanent protection. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration rejected a variety of sound environmental options. Instead, it recommended a proposal that heavily favors the commercial timber industry by recommending no protection for roadless areas and offering no new wilderness designations.

The better alternative, which the Bush administration SHOULD adopt, is the Alaska Rainforest Conservation Proposal, Alternative 6, a sensible alternative that SAFEGUARDS VALUABLE OLD GROWTH STANDS and other pristine areas of the Tongass.

Time is short and the deadline for your comments is approaching. Please, join me today in sending a loud and clear message to the Bush Administration: Our national forests are national treasures and once they're gone, they're gone forever.

****Comments must be received by August 14th, 2002 to be included in the Official Record of Public Comments.**** ..... See full petition below.td>
  
This Petition is now closed. We have reached the deadline and
comments are being sent to the U.S. Forest Service.
Your help is still needed! Click to sign another petition
and Support Strong Environmental Protections!.r>
.>MOST RECENT 25 of 27,109 SIGNATURES
Number Date Name State Why is it important to protect the Tongass National Forest? How do you appreciate the outdoors (hiking, biking, birdwatching, etc?)
27,109  12:28 pm PDT, Aug 14 chris patterson WI Because there are so few natural wildernesses left, and using as little of this as possible is the only way to keep what little we do have for the security and standard of living of future generations.  
27,108  12:26 pm PDT, Aug 14 Kris Bauer CA Forests are our planet's lungs. As we destroy them, we cause long-lasting harm to ourselves. Having lived for over two years in Juneau, in the Tongass National Forest, I'm aware of how fragile the ecosystem is - even though it may look quite sturdy. It houses a wide variety of animals and plants and is part of the storehouse of our future. To destroy it for the short-term gain of some wood rather than farming and harvesting the lumber from areas already long-since clear cut and in need of replanting seems short-sighted at best and criminal at worst.  
27,107  12:22 pm PDT, Aug 14 V. Strong WY All of the natural habitat that is being destroyed. Soon our children will only read of the many things we are able to see today. Our family enjoys our mountains that we have been graciously blessed with. Camping, fishing and watching the many deer and moose go through our camp sites at night. Being able to see the many different types of wild flowers.
27,106  12:21 pm PDT, Aug 14 Anonymous CA It's such a beautiful place and should be preserved for it's natural beauty. We have destroyed to many Wonders of our World as it is.  
27,105  12:15 pm PDT, Aug 14 Robert S. Shipman AZ It is important to save this forest because of its incredible, pristine beauty. Unfortunately, there are few places left that rival its splendor. Going to the beach and roadtrips.
27,104  12:15 pm PDT, Aug 14 Philis O'Shaughnessy OK We have to stop butchering wildlife, Trees are natures cathedrals. Beauty, when I am in the woods is all I see.
27,103  12:14 pm PDT, Aug 14 David Warsop -- Even a country as large as the USA can't afford to be careless in its destruction of natural environments. There are few enough forests around as it is. Hiking, photography.
27,102  12:08 pm PDT, Aug 14 Anonymous -- We need to protect some special areas as a heritage for our children and grandchildren  
27,101  12:04 pm PDT, Aug 14 Anonymous WA Because it needs to be preserved for future generations AND I want our country to focus more resources on developing alternative energy sources and reduce our dependency on fossil fuel. all the above
27,100  12:04 pm PDT, Aug 14 Gabe Santner NY It is important to protect all wildlife, and this is one of the many sites that need our help. I bike, hike ect and want to be able to continue these activitys.
27,099  12:04 pm PDT, Aug 14 Anonymous CA Why wouldn't it be?  
27,098  11:59 am PDT, Aug 14 Natalie Helferty -- Once it is gone, it is gone forever. We can never recreate nature that has taken thousands of years to evolve and develop, yet we destroy so much in the blink of an eye. It's about time we have a little humility in the presence of God's Creation. Life is a precious gift. Let's start recognizing that and manage our resources wisely, for the long term good of this planet, our home. As a trained ecologist, I understand both the science and spirituality of the natural world. I couldn't live without being connected to nature. Life would have no meaning. God speaks to us all through His Creations, through Nature. We need to listen. That will make us good stewards of all that has been granted us.
27,097  11:47 am PDT, Aug 14 Patricia A. Waller VA We must protect the wildlife or destroy the balance of nature. hiking, horseback riding
27,096  11:46 am PDT, Aug 14 Anonymous CO It is important to me that new wilderness areas be designated and that animal habitat in roadless areas be protected. Valuable old growth stands and other pristine areas of the Tongass should also be safeguarded. Commercial interests should not outweigh conservation. hiking, mountain biking, skiing,
27,095  11:45 am PDT, Aug 14 Adrienne Godwin MO No one has the right to destroy such a wonderful part of our country. We should be proud to preserve it and not destroy it.  
27,094  11:44 am PDT, Aug 14 Jane deFrees ME We must preserve what is left of our wilderness for our children and grandchildren!  
27,093  11:41 am PDT, Aug 14 dominique irvine -- Because my pal said so getting peace and quiet
27,092  11:41 am PDT, Aug 14 Heidi Sowers MD We need to help preserve our wildlife, because we have the power to do so. Unfortunately, the power is being used against nature. Voices along with helping hands can make a difference.  
27,091  11:40 am PDT, Aug 14 Anonymous -- Because it's important to save all the forests because they are helping to prevent global warming  
27,090  11:38 am PDT, Aug 14 Robert Catania IA We must protect against the exploitation of our environment, and animals! I appreciate it very much!!
27,089  11:33 am PDT, Aug 14 April E Sadler TX we need to stop raping our lands and oceans befor there is nothig left.. And we now this but way does this not stop.. what am I going to tell my kids are they going to have to read about these lands and oceans in books and see then in museums.. We can go to the moon but we can not make it stop.. there has to be a way  
27,088  11:32 am PDT, Aug 14 Jessica Ann Kloiber PA We cannot keep destroying our natural resources and thinking that it won't do us harm...we need these forests so much more than we're willing to admit! hiking
27,087  11:30 am PDT, Aug 14 Melanie Simons CO To protect wildlife, for our future. We really need to start thinking about our future or we won't have one. When will people start realizing this?? hiking, camping, kayaking, photography
27,086  11:27 am PDT, Aug 14 Anonymous CA Humans have been expanding their habitat rapidly at the expanse of wildlife habitat. It's time to put an end to that expansion and protect the wildlife. Hiking, biking, camping
27,085  11:26 am PDT, Aug 14 Paula Kline PA As a nation we must factor in the essentail health of all our eco-systems. Those which are still healthy and intact must be protected.  

.>Save the Tongass National Forest
Tongass National Forest - Content Analysis Team
USDA Forest Service
P.O. Box 9079
Missoula, MT 59807

RE: TLMP Revision Draft SEIS, Roadless Area Evaluation for Wilderness

Dear Forest Service Chief Bosworth,

I strongly disagree with the Forest Service's "no action" recommendation in the Tongass Forest Plan. Your recommendation would leave open enormous stretches of wild forest lands to development and activities that would damage ecosystems, endanger wildlife, and diminish recreational opportunities. It also ignores the wishes of the vast majority of Americans, like me, who support protection of roadless areas in our national forests.

The Tongass is the crown jewel of the National Forest System -- a remote coastal rainforest unparalleled anywhere on the planet, home to awe-inspiring landscapes and healthy populations of grizzly bears, bald eagles, wild salmon, and other wildlife. Yet after the Forest Service evaluated over 9 million wild, pristine acres in the Tongass, it proposes that *none* of these areas receive permanent protection as wilderness.

I strongly urge you to adopt the Alaska Rainforest Conservation Proposal (Alternative 6), a sensible policy that permanently safeguards -- for this and future generations -- magnificent wilderness areas in the Tongass National Forest.

Alternative 6 protects valuable old-growth stands and other pristine areas of the Tongass. These areas are vital to wildlife and people. The roadless areas of the Tongass support subsistence and sport hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and wilderness tourism and recreation. Protecting these areas assures that the Tongass will continue to provide habitat for wildlife and the pristine water that supports Southeast Alaska's salmon fishery.

Again, I urge the Forest Service to stand up to the timber industry and choose Alternative 6 to permanently protect this national treasure.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned

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