Apologies for cluttering your email but this alert explains the Bad Fire
Bill in more detail.

Urgent Alert - Congressman George Miller Joins Scott McInnis on Bad Fire
Bill
Calls Needed Immediately!

Congressman George Miller (D-CA) has joined Scott McInnis on a fire bill
that severely limits citizen rights to appeal and judicial review of
hazardous fuels reduction projects. They have defined hazardous fuels
reduction so broadly that most National Forest and BLM lands are open for
increased logging. The bill is being heard in committee tomorrow (Thursday,
Oct. 3rd) and if opposition isn't generated immediately the stage will be
set for this bill to sail through the Republican-held House very quickly.

Please call Thursday before noon EDT to Key House Members:

Congressman Staff Phone/Fax
George Miller (D-CA) Amelia Jenkins 202/225-2095/225-5609
Peter DeFazio (D-OR) David Dreher 202/225-6416/225-0032
Nick Rahall (D-WV)   202/225-6065/226-4077
Mark Udall (D-CO)  Stan Sloss  202/225-2161/226-7840
Tom Udall (D-NM)  Tony Martinez  202/225-6190/226-1331
Dick Gephardt (D-MO)  Bill Frymoyer  202/225-0100/226-0938

Tell them to:

1. Oppose the McInnis/Miller Bill
2. Oppose any restrictions on judicial review
3. Oppose elimination or short cutting of the appeals process.
4. Maintain our rights to full citizen involvement in forest decisions
5. Cosponsor/support the Inslee Community Protection Bill, H.R. 5358, which
focuses 85% of fire money in Community Protection Zone (within 1/4 mile from
homes)

The bill (as to be amended - HR 5319) would:

Drastically shorten appeal period (likely increasing # of appeals)
Drastically shorten period to prepare for judicial review
Expand area of community protection zone well beyond scientific definition
Encourage logging in endangered species habitat
Leave decision to agencies on which trees to protect (opening large trees to
cutting)
Gives wide discretion to agencies to choose which lands are at risk
Eliminates need for agency to develop alternatives in environmental analyses
Expands authority to trade trees for logging (creating incentive to log
large trees)
Authorizes almost $ 4 Billion for logging
Establishes this law for 5 years

Rumor also has it that Mark Udall (D-CO) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) are
signing onto the bill as well. It is difficult to believe that George Miller
and these other congressmen that are usually friendly to the environment are
supporting this bad bill. However it is sad but true.

Apparently Jay Inslee (D-WA) is offering an alternative to give opposition
to the McInnis/Miller bill something positive to vote for. Tom Udall (D-NM)
and Nick Rahall (D-WV) have given indicatation they'll oppose the
McInnis/Miller bill. These congressmen deserve support for doing the right
thing on the fire issue. House minority leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) will
also need to step forward if there is any hope to stop this disastrous bill.
They all need our support on this difficult issue.

Please call your congressperson (Capitol switchboard - 202/224-3121). Also
call George Miller and the other key congressmen to express your concern.

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