This August the Bush administration proposed changes to the National Forest Management Act that would dismantle vital protections for our National Forests and grasslands and eliminate key federal protections for all wildlife in those areas ... including the still-struggling grizzly bear.
Habitat loss from logging and other activities is one of the greatest threats to grizzly bears in the lower 48 United States. Grizzlies in the Yellowstone region were just recently removed from the list of species protected under Endangered Species Act - they can't afford more destructive logging.
We only have until Monday, October 22nd to stop this plan - urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to abandon the 2007 proposed revisions of the National Forest Management Act regulations!
I am a citizen who cares deeply about protecting wildlife and their forest habitat. I strongly urge you to abandon the 2007 proposed revisions of the National Forest Management Act regulations.
[Your personal comments here.]
I am particularly concerned that the proposed rule would eliminate current protections for all wildlife inhabiting every national forest and grassland. Eliminating these protections, which have protected forest wildlife for more than 20 years, would threaten wolves, wolverines, elk, salmon and many other species.
I find it extremely disturbing that this proposal would limit public input in the planning process, de-emphasize the role of scientists in the planning process, water down standards for timber harvesting, and exempt all forest plans from meaningful environmental review.
Management of our precious National Forests and grasslands is an essential function of the Forest Service. For all these reasons, I strongly urge you to reject the proposed revisions of the National Forest Management Act regulations.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
