Dear Friends,

As you know, we have been fighting 4 horrible Tongass/Chugach riders.
Our current understanding is that -- thanks to the incredible public
pressure that has been generated in the last two days -- up to 3 of the
riders have been struck from the FY 2003 Appropriations bill.  This is
an extraordinary accomplishment.  We overcame the brutal power of 2
Chairmen: Senator Stevens Congressman Young. We are confident that the
rider which would have taken the Tongass and Chugach National Forests
out of the Roadless Policy has been struck and that the rider which
would have adversely changed the Tongass Timber Reform Act has been
eliminated.  It is a little less clear about the 1997 TLMP rider.  I
will let you know when we find out more.
Thank you for your calls and e-mails. They mattered.

The remaining rider, however, is highly objectionable, and we still are
working very hard to strike it.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE OUR
EFFORTS AT FULL FORCE. The remaining rider is Senator Steven's original
rider that Congressionally approves a Forest Service decision that has
not been made yet.  As you recall, the issue at stake is the Forest
Service's court required Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
decision on Wilderness recommendations in the Tongass that is due out in
several weeks.  We need to stop this bill, not only because it is bad
for the Tongass, but also because it establishes a terrible precedent
that Congress can eliminate all administrative and jusdicial appeals of
a decision that has not been made.

We need your continued calls, especially to support a Motion to Recommit
in the House and a filibuster in the Senate.  

I'll write again soon, and thanks again.
Deborah





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