Instead, the Congress should stop this wasteful program and
invest in the protection of communities from fires and the restoration of
damaged forests and watersheds.
The National Forest Protection and
Restoration Act, to be introduced soon by Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) and Rep. Louise
Slaughter (D-NY), proposes to end the federal commercial logging program and to
redirect federal funding into a pro-active forest restoration program. The
NFPRA will provide greater environmental and economic benefits by protecting
communities from the threat of forest fires, promoting restoration jobs, and
ensuring that National Forests will continue to provide clean water, quality
recreation opportunities and abundant fish and wildlife.
The Bush
Administration and the Forest Service under Chief Dale Bosworth is headed in a
direction that disregards sound environmental stewardship. Since taking office,
President Bush and Chief Bosworth have repealed protections for wild roadless
areas, overturned forest management rules that protect wildlife and have worked
to increase logging.
There is a better way. We can use federal resources
and energy to "protect the best and restore the rest" of our National Forests.
Our tax dollars and federal agencies should work to provide sound management
that American citizens want, not the continued logging of ancient forests,
ruined streams and closed campgrounds.
TAKE ACTION:
Help make a
difference by joining the thousands of conservationists calling for the
protection and restoration of America's National Forests.
Contact
your Representative today through the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202)
224-3121 and ask to be connected directly to their office.
Urge Your
Representative to support the National Forest Protection and Restoration Act
sponsored by Representatives Jim Leach and Louise Slaughter.
For more
information on getting involved in Sierra Club's National Forest
Protection Campaign visit our website at:
www.sierraclub.org/forests
or contact Myke Bybee at (202) 675-2389
Myke Bybee
National
Conservation Organizer
Sierra Club Lands Team
408 C Street
NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-1141
www.sierraclub.org