Couple of Phone Calls Can Help Save National Forests

A Couple of Phone Calls Can Help Save National Forests

The U.S. House of Representatives has just passed a very bad bill--the
Walden Logging Bill, HR 4200--that would promote faster logging in disturbed
forests.

Please call North Coast Representative Mike Thompson to applaud his vote
AGAINST the Walden Logging Bill.

In Eureka (707) 269-9595

In DC (202) 225-3311


Also, please call Senator Feinstein to ask her to also OPPOSE the bill.

In SF (415) 393-0707

In DC (202) 224-3841


On May 18th, the House passed the logging bill sponsored by Oregon
Republican Greg Walden, by a relatively close vote of 243-182.

The North Coast's Representative Mike Thompson courageously voted against
the bill, despite heavy pressure from the timber industry that would benefit
from the bill. Please call his office today to thank him for taking a stand
for the forest.

In Eureka (707) 269-9595

In DC (202) 225-3311

H.R. 4200 is an attempt to sweep away fundamental environmental protections
on national forests across the country. Misleadingly titled, "The Forest
Emergency Recovery and Research Act," the bill would change our laws to
speed up logging after fires and other natural disturbances, ignoring
scientists' warnings that such logging is more likely to hurt forests than
to help them recover.

The bill now goes to the Senate, weighed down by intense controversy and
major scientific opposition. Senator Barbara Boxer has already declared her
opposition to the bill.

Oregon's Eugene Register-Guard summed it up: ". . .members of the Senate,
who will soon consider a similar bill introduced by Senator Gordon Smith
(R-OR), should not be deceived. This legislation is not about optimizing
forest recovery or relying on the best science available. It's about
shortcutting critical environmental protections in order to fast track
salvage logging, regardless of the potentially damaging consequences."

Senate action on the bill is likely to happen very quickly, so please call
Senator Feinstein's office today to urge her to vote AGAINST the bill.

In SF (415) 393-0707

In DC (202) 224-3841

EXTRA CREDIT: Please write letters to the editor of your local paper,
praising Representative Thompson and Senator Boxer for opposing the Walden
Logging Bill, and urging Senator Feinstein to join them in taking a stand
for our forests.