--- begin forwarded text Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 15:12:27 -0400 Subject: Action: Protect New Monuments To: [log in to unmask] From: [log in to unmask] List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> List-Subscribe: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> List-Owner: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: [log in to unmask] **************************** * WILD ALERT * Wednesday, April 18, 2001 **************************** Dear WildAlert Subscriber, The Upper Missouri Breaks, first written about by Lewis and Clark, comprises the last undeveloped portion of the Missouri River. This wild stretch of river meanders through fragrant sagebrush, sandstone castles, and steep, multicolored cliffs. The Ironwood Forest National Monument presents a quintessential view of the Sonoran Desert with ancient forests of saguaro cactus and ancient ironwood trees, which can live beyond 800 years. These are just two of nearly two dozen new national monuments that are being scrutinized by Interior Secretary Gale Norton, with an eye toward weakening protections for these national treasures. Your support of protections for these monuments is crucially important. Take action now by going to our site to send a message to Secretary Norton. http://www.wilderness.org/standbylands/national_monuments_action.htm URGENT: If you live in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, or Oregon, and if you have the time, please send a copy of your letter to your governor. Here's how. When you take action from our site, select the box: "carbon copies to: myself via e-mail" Then, once you've received the cc, send it to your governor (email addresses are below). **************************** BACKGROUND **************************** On March 28, Interior Secretary Gale Norton sent a letter to western governors, state and local elected officials, and tribal representatives asking for their ideas on how to unravel the protections afforded 19 new national monuments designated by President Clinton. According to a DOI news release, Norton said she wanted "to hear local voices and ideas on how best to protect, use and care for these precious national treasures for generations to come." That phrase is omitted, however, from the actual letter Norton sent to governors and local officials. Instead, she asked them to make recommendations on: --monument boundaries --existing uses within the monuments that should continue --vehicle use and rights-of-way --livestock grazing, and --development such as mining and oil and gas drilling Such an effort to drum up support for utilitarian management of our national monuments is entirely wrong-headed. These are not mere commodities for sale to the highest bidder. Just as the Grand Canyon and Olympic national monuments became national icons, these new monuments are destined to become some of the most beloved places of the new millenium. They need protection, not posturing. That's why we want the Secretary to hear from you. Your comments are urgently needed to counter the development-prone ideas Secretary Norton will receive from some hostile local elected officials, as well as the off-road vehicle crowd, the oil and gas industry, and others. Take action now by going to our site and sending Secretary Norton a fax, or by taking action below. **************************** TAKE ACTION AT: http://www.wilderness.org/standbylands/national_monuments_action.htm OR Write to Secretary Norton and urge her to make protection of the resources -- not continued local uses -- her first priority. Send your letter to: Secretary Gale Norton c/o Tom Fulton Office of the Secretary United States Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240. If you live in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, please also send a copy of your letter to your governor: LEARN MORE: http://www.wilderness.org/standbylands/national_monuments.htm *************************************************************** For a full list of Action Items, visit http://www.wilderness.org/whatcan/takeaction.htm *************************************************************** An archive of past WildAlerts can be found at http://www.wilderness.org/wildalert/wildalerts.htm *************************************************************** WildAlert is an email action alert system brought to you by The Wilderness Society to keep you apprised of threats to our wildlands -- in the field and in Washington. WildAlert messages include updates along with clear, concise actions you can take to protect America's last wild places. You are welcome to forward WildAlerts to all those interested in saving America's wildlands. FEEDBACK: Please send your comments to <[log in to unmask]>. If you simply hit "reply" to this message, please include your email address in the body of the message. TO SUBSCRIBE: If you have been forwarded this message and would like to subscribe to the list, send the following message to <[log in to unmask]>: "subscribe wilderness-alert" (inserted in the body of the message, without quotes). TO UNSUBSCRIBE: If you wish to be removed from this list, see the instructions at the end of this message. Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to protect America's wilderness and to develop a nation-wide network of wild lands through public education, scientific analysis and advocacy. Our goal is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water, wildlife, beauty and opportunities for recreation and renewal that pristine forests, rivers, deserts and mountains provide. To take action on behalf of wildlands today, visit our website at http://www.wilderness.org *************************************************************** --- You are currently subscribed to wilderness-alert as: [[log in to unmask]] To unsubscribe, forward this message to [log in to unmask] --- end forwarded text -- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Rex L. Bavousett Photographer The University of Iowa University Communications & Outreach - Publications 100 OPL, Iowa City, IA 52242 http://www.uiowa.edu/~urpubs/ mailto:[log in to unmask] voice: 319 384-0053 fax: 319 384-0055 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Mitakuye Oyasin - We are all One People ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]