Tell the Obama Administration to Protect our Forests

The state of Colorado is trying to weaken protections for ecologically sensitive lands. If they are successful, this could set a dangerous precedent for other states. The deadline for comments is October 3, so please send a message today.

Please send an urgent email to Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, asking him to protect our national forests.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

As you know, President Obama has pledged to defend and uphold the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.  Compared to this landmark rule, Colorado's latest proposal would significantly weaken protections for some of our state's best backcountry and wild forests.

Our nation's roadless forests provide a variety of essential services, including jobs, clean air, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty.  In the face of a warming world, protecting these lands and values becomes even more important to communities and wildlife.  Roadless areas across the country provide clean drinking water to more than 60 million Americans and serve as important habitat to species struggling to cope with increased temperatures and drought.  Additionally, wild, intact forest stands help combat climate change by storing large quantities of carbon.

The process that developed the 2001 Roadless Rule featured more than two decades of debate and received nearly 1.6 million public comments in favor of complete protections for these last wild places.  I agree with those Americans and believe that our roadless forests in Colorado deserve the protections that other wild forests across the country enjoy.  Unfortunately, based on the current proposal, Colorado's national forests would enjoy fewer protections than those in any other state, threatening our quality of life.

Again, I urge you to reject this new proposal and instead work to ensure that Colorado's national forests receive more complete protection under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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Secretary Tom Vilsack

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