Protect Colorado's Pristine National Forests
The Bush Administration is set to begin a national rulemaking that could weaken regulations currently protecting more than 4.4 million acres of Colorado's undeveloped national forest roadless areas.
These areas currently enjoy protection under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, but through this process, the door could be opened to mining, logging, road construction, oil and gas development as well as other corporate special interests.
The proposed Colorado Roadless Rule would leave national forests in Colorado less protected than national forests elsewhere in the country, as other states would still be covered under the broader, stronger 2001 roadless rule.
Please sign the letter below to let the Forest Service know that you want all of Colorado's roadless areas protected. Ask them not to remove the current protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Dear Forest Service,
Colorado National Forests contain 4.4 million acres of pristine roadless backcountry. These areas not only offer unmatched recreational opportunities for hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, but provide vital habitats for fish and wildlife. They also contain critical watersheds that supply clean drinking water to Coloradans. It is our responsibility to manage these areas conscientiously and protect their values from the potentially harmful practices of mining, logging, road construction and oil and gas development.
Throughout numerous comment periods and public hearings, the overwhelming majority of American citizens, both inside and outside of Colorado, have asked for the complete protection for all of Colorado's roadless areas. These protections currently exist under the purview of the 2001 roadless rule which provides flexible management of these areas and remains one of the most publicly supported rulemakings ever. We are asking that you allow these protections to remain in place in Colorado as well as the rest of the country.
The proposed Colorado rule does not reflect the overwhelming public desire to protect these irreplaceable wild lands. We ask that you not approve any state-specific rulemaking that would create less protection for Colorado's roadless areas than that currently enjoyed by roadless areas throughout the nation under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
[Your comment]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your city and state]
