Over 34,000 citizens ask U.S. Forest Service to protect all roadless lands as wilderness and protect habitat for grizzly bears, other wildlife and fish Additional Contacts: MISSOULA, MONT. – Public comments submitted on the proposed revised Flathead National Forest Plan show a groundswell of public support for protecting all remaining roadless wildlands as Wilderness, as well as maintaining requirements in the current forest plan to protect grizzly bear security and habitat for other wildlife and fish. According to conservation
and wilderness groups, at least 34,400 American citizens [1]– the vast majority
of citizens who commented on the draft forest plan – urged the Forest Service
to recommend all remaining roadless areas as Wilderness, and they supported
maintaining promises made in the current forest plan to remove 500 miles of
damaging roads to protect grizzly bear security and habitat for other wildlife
and fish. On the homepage of the Flathead National Forest’s official website it says “the forest is the premiere destination for visitors looking to experience natural landscapes of the American West” and the forest is “celebrated for its water, wildlife, and wilderness.” [3] The Flathead National
Forest’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement stated that 96% of American's
like Wilderness and 70% of the American people want more Wilderness. [4] Such
strong support for Wilderness and wildlands protection isn’t surprising. “The citizens who commented on
the Flathead Plan were unequivocal. They want their wildlands protected and
they want them managed like Wilderness until Congress acts. That means no
motorized or mechanized vehicles or other incompatible activities,” stated
George Nickas, executive director of Wilderness Watch. “The Flathead National Forest admits it can’t afford its current massive road network, and those roads are inflicting serious harm on grizzly habitat,” said Greg Dyson, Wild Places Program Director at WildEarth Guardians. “It’s time for the Forest to do what the vast majority of the public wants and say no to selfish motorheads who think they can drive everywhere. It’s time for the Forest to step up and protect grizzlies, bull trout and other wildlife that require habitat on the Flathead.” SOURCES: 1. http://www.swanview.org/reports/Documented_34409_FFP_Comments.pdf 2. http://www.swanview.org/reports/Citizen_reVision_Flathead_Forest_Plan.pdf 3. http://www.fs.usda.gov/flathead/ 4. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd502199.pdf , DEIS Volume 2, pg 56 5. http://www.bigskylegacy.org/supporters.html
6. http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/408/rules.html |
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