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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]