Hello Friends of the Tongass National Forest,

I am writing to you because we are now at the point of seeing action in
Congress that will once again eliminate the road building funding on the
Tongass National Forest. In the past three years there has been an
amendment brought to the Interior Appropriations Bill that eliminates
this huge taxpayer waste. Two of the last three years it has passed
overwhelmingly with bi-partisan support, the third year it was pulled
before the vote but most likely would have passed.

Since 1982 (longest we have records) $1Billion taxpayer dollars have been
spent building roads in the Tongass for industry access to old growth, on
average $40 million a year. For many reasons this is not acceptable,
taxpayers overwhelmingly do not want roadless areas of the national
forests impacted, the local economy of southeast Alaska is primarily
based on standing forests - hunting, fishing, and tourism, roadbuilding
on the Tongass is extremely expensive and a money loser to the FS, plus
the timber sales put forward are not competitive, with usually only one
bidder on a sale (if there are any, many sales are put forward and have
no bids). 

So far we have not heard how Congressman Boswell will vote on this
amendment, but he has not supported it in the past - the timing for votes
is late May or possibly into early June. 

I could really use your help in two ways - ONE - please write or call
Boswell (ask for/direct to Enviro staffer Alexis Taylor) and ask the
Congressman to support this important amendment. (202-225-3806  
[log in to unmask]   ) Let me know if you hear that he will
support, oppose, or is undecided.

AND TWO - consider writing a letter to the editor of a district paper. I
have email LTE contact for the Des Moines Register below, plus sample
LTEs to base a letter from.

Also attached are internal talking points on this issue, plus a general
factsheet.

It is time to urge Congressman Boswell to help stop taxpayer waste and
support this amendment when it comes forward. It would be great to have
your help on this, if there are questions / concerns please let me know
and I can provide further information. (also - forward this note to
others who support Tongass protection).

Thanks!
Lois Norrgard
Upper Midwest Regional Director
Alaska Wilderness League
ph/fx: 952-881-7282
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