In a stunning blow to the environment, the Obama Administration just approved a clearcut of 382 acres of timber in a roadless area of Alaska's Tongass National Forest.

The clearcut in the Tongass will involve building 6.9 miles of roads and rebuilding another 1.9 miles of old roads. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack put a temporary halt to timber sales in roadless areas of national forests -- but he approved this timber sale despite the concerns of people who care about this important temperate rainforest, home to numerous endangered species.

Vilsack argues it'll provide much-needed jobs for the region -- but even in troubled economic times, we cannot sacrifice the future of our planet! Urge President Obama to reverse this decision and ensure no more clearcutting and roadbuilding occurs in the Tongass.

Dear President Obama,

I am horrified to hear about Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack's decision to open 382 acres of the Tongass to clearcutting. Timber roadbuilding in roadless areas is an incredibly destructive tax on our precious land and its inhabitants.

During your campaign, you supported President Clinton's roadless rule. That's why I'm hoping you'll reverse Secretary Vilsack's decision and halt the timber sale to Pacific Log and Lumber of this roadless area.

[Your comment here]

Please also ensure that Secretary Vilsack does not enable more timber sales in our precious roadless lands.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]