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Oppose roadless area exemptions for Tongass-Chugach National Forests: Comments needed by August 14

*Note: Although California Wilderness Coalition does not generally take positions on out of state issues, due to the ecological importance of Alaska's temperate rainforests and the importance of the Roadless Rule, we are asking our members and supporters to take action on this matter.*

The Bush Administration has taken the first procedural swipe at the landmark Roadless Area Conservation Rule by proposing to strip protections from America's great Alaskan temperate rainforests, which represent fully one-quarter of the lands protected under the Rule. Two simultaneous 30-day public comment periods are currently underway on the Administration's proposed exemptions of the Tongass and Chugach National Forests in Alaska from the Roadless Rule. The Alaska comment periods are the first opportunity the public has to officially comment on the Bush administration's attempts to gut the Roadless Rule.

Tell the Bush Administration you oppose their plans to exempt the Tongass and Chugach National Forests in Alaska from the Roadless Rule.

Please send an original letter by adding a few of your own words and comments to the sample letter below. Unfortunately, this administration is trying to discredit comments from people like you unless they are personalized.

If you are unable to send personalized comments, you can also send an online, formatted comment at: www.akrain.org

Send comments on the proposed exemption regulation of the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule by August 14th to:

E-MAIL: roadlesstnf@fs.fed.us

FAX: (801) 880-2808

MAIL: Roadless TNF, Content Analysis Team USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 22810 Salt Lake City, UT 84122

For more information on the Roadless Areas conservation rule and Alaska's temperate rainforests, please visit www.akrain.org

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Chief Dale Bosworth,

I strongly support the Roadless Area Conservation Rule as it was issued in January 2001 and oppose the proposed exemptions of the Tongass and Chugach National Forests, our nation's two largest national forests, from the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

The Roadless Rule, a landmark conservation policy, has the overwhelming support of the American people. Safeguarding our wild forests from road building, commercial logging, mining and drilling benefits everyone including those who hunt, fish, hike, camp and recreate on these public lands. To exempt America's rainforest one-quarter of our nation's roadless forests from protection is unwarranted and unwanted.

Please accept this as my official comment opposing the proposed temporary exemption of the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule and the advance notice of proposed rulemaking to make permanent the Tongass exemption and extend it to the Chugach National Forest (36 CFR Parts 219 and 294).

Sincerely,

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