The budget bill could be heard on the House floor tomorrow (Thursday). Time
is of the essence so please keep the calls going in to DC.

Please call your Senator and Representatives through the Capital Hill
switchboard 202.224.3121 and urge them to oppose all anti-environmental
riders in the Omnibus budget fiscal year 2003 Appropriations Bill.  Just
call and ask to be connected to your Representatives and Senators offices.

KEEP THE CALLS GOING INTO YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS!

Tell them to SUPPORT ALL EFFORTS TO DEFEAT ANTI-ENVIRONMENTAL RIDERS.

**OPPOSE exempting the Tongass and Chugach from the Roadless Rule;
*OPPOSE anti-wilderness language for the Tongass National Forest;
*OPPOSE changes to current law that would drastically increase logging in
the Tongass; and

When talking to your Representative urge them to support a motion to
recommit to strike all anti-environmental riders in the bill.  Please be
sure to call moderate Republicans to voice their opposition these sweeping
anti-environmental riders.

When talking to your Senator: Urge them to filibuster to the bill on the
Senate floor.
Don't forget:
Tom Harkin (D-IA) Ranking Member, Labor, HHS Subcommittee
Richard Durbin (D-IL) Ranking Member, Legislative Branch

THE ISSUES
The sweeping Omnibus Appropriations bill negotiated in House and Senate
conference committee still contains a slew of anti-environmental riders that
threaten the Tongass and Chugach National Forest. Negotiations on the
Omnibus budget bill are continuing.  Public opposition to these riders is
generating momentum - disagreements over drought assistance and
environmental provisions continue to prevent completion of the 2003 budget
bill.

Environmental foes are seeking through the 'riders' to:

. Preclude application of the landmark Roadless Area Conservation Rule on
Alaska's national forests - the Tongass and the Chugach - the two largest
national forests in the country.  This rule prohibits logging and new roads
in pristine areas of the national forests.

. Rubber-stamp a wilderness review on the Tongass that is not even complete
yet, precluding any appeals or court actions regardless of potentially
significant legal violations and disdain of public comments.

. Exclude pristine areas of both the Tongass and Chugach National Forests
from the protections of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, reversing this
landmark forest conservation measure for our two largest national forests.

. Insulate the 1997 Tongass Forest Plan from legal challenge, setting a
terrible national precedent.  Increase logging in the Tongass rainforest at
the expense of existing protections for pristine areas, fish and wildlife by
shielding the Forest Service from all applicable laws related to a flawed
1997 management plan for that forest.

. Amend the bipartisan 1990 Tongass Timber Reform Act to revive the timber
industry's failed legal argument that they are entitled to whatever amount
and kind of logging they want.

These riders would also permit the use of FY 2003 funds to conduct work in
preparation for oil leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, without
Congress specifically appropriating such funds. Oil leasing in the Arctic
has been consistently rejected by Congress and the American public. This new
rider is an attempt to allow the BLM to conduct preliminary activities
related to an action that is currently illegal - oil drilling in the Arctic
Refuge.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!

Excerpts from the Alaska Coalition and American Lands.

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