Protect Colorado's Backcountry From Drilling and Mining
- al: The Pew Charitable Trusts
- destinatario: Colorado Department of Natural Resources; CC: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senator Udall, Senator Bennett and Colorado House Representatives
Colorado's best backcountry is at risk.
President Barack Obama has been a strong supporter of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a landmark environmental measure that preserves 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas in our national forests. But backed by special interests, the State of Colorado is attempting to get out from under this popular policy and open up some of the best backcountry in the Rocky Mountains to new coal mines, methane wells and oil and gas drilling. As a result, Colorado's national forests could be become a magnet for development.
We need your help. Please ask Colorado leaders to reject Colorado's new proposal because it doesn't measure up to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which President Obama pledged to support as the best national policy to protect America's last undeveloped national forests in every state.
Dear [Decision-Maker],
President Barack Obama has been a strong supporter of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a landmark environmental measure that preserves 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas in our national forests. But the new Colorado roadless proposal attempts to get out from under this popular policy and undercut critical protections for its 4.4 million acres of pristine national forests. Backed by special interests, it opens some of the best backcountry in the Rocky Mountains to new coal mines, methane wells and oil and gas drilling.
As a result, Colorado's national forests would enjoy fewer protections than those in any other state, making them a magnet for development. National forest roadless areas are particularly vital to Colorado's economy and quality of life, providing clean water, valuable habitat for fish and wildlife and recreational and tourism opportunities that generate significant jobs and revenue for the state.
[Your comment here]
I urge you to not move forward with this flawed approach and support the 2001 roadless rule that will give Colorado's national forests the same protection as those in the rest of the country. Because once they're gone, they're gone forever.
