Some of the new leadership in Congress – allies of the oil and gas industry – are already planning to undermine critical wilderness protections recently put in place by the Obama Administration.
Two of the most immediate threats could be an attempt to roll back the brand new wilderness policy that puts wild lands before oil interests and to open more areas onshore and offshore to oil and gas drilling.
But wilderness is not a Republican or Democratic value -- it is an American value, and as the new Congress shapes an agenda for this nation, we need to ensure that wild places and wildlife are protected from the destructive development practices of oil and gas extraction, wanton off road vehicles use, or unwarranted logging.
Tell Congress that America's wild lands are not a partisan issue, and to make wilderness and wildlife protection a priority in the 112th Congress.
Subject: Make Wilderness Protection a Priority
Dear
[Decision Maker]:
The Bush Administration's eight-year campaign to subjugate all other uses of public land -- recreation, water quality, habitat, ranching -- to rampant energy development has been well documented and former Secretary Norton's "No-More-Wilderness" policy is one of the most destructive examples.
That's why I was happy to hear that President Obama and Interior Secretary Salazar are attempting to restore wilderness to its rightful place as part of our public lands.
[Your personal comments will be added here.]
The new wilderness policy, as well as efforts to end the oil and gas industry's rampage over our public lands, is a step toward the responsible management that we want and need for these shared national treasures.
Wilderness is not a Republican or Democratic value -- it is an American value, and as the new Congress shapes an agenda for this nation, I urge you to ensure that wild places and wildlife are protected from the destructive development practices of oil and gas extraction, wanton off road vehicles use, or unwarranted logging.
