SCUTTLE 2ND ATTEMPT TO RUIN ROADLESS RULE!

Today, one-third of America’s national forests are protected from road-building and other industrial development by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.  Roadless Areas offer some of our nation’s best rare wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities!  But, using a divide and conquer approach, the White House is working state-by-state to threaten these pristine places with logging, mining and other development.  With your help, we can secure the future of our cherished national forests. To sign on to and send a prepared letter or to write your own comments go to: http://www.roadless.org/action/Future/BCA. Your voice for the wild really counts, thank you!

10 YRS UNSUSTAINABLE LOGGING FOR BLACK HILLS

The Black Hills National Forest has set a goal to sell 90 million board feet for logging in 2008. Yes, you read that right! The quantity is set every 10 years under the management plan adopted in 1997; on January 1, 2008, the Forest Service renewed the quantity at the same level as the previous 10 years—838 million board feet. That's about 84 million board feet per year. This sale quantity was set without any new scientific analysis and without taking into consideration the extensive fires, mountain pine beetle infestation, climate change and past logging levels which have occurred on the forest over the past 10 years. No public input was allowed in the decision-making process. The rapid disappearance of native species in the Black Hills is sign of a failing ecosystem. For example, observed American dipper populations have been cut in half in just a few years, and only three individual northern goshawks were observed in 2006. These are signs that logging and other disturbance in the Black Hills has been far too high for too long. The Black Hills decision also flies in the face of the U.S. Forest Service Washington, DC office which recommended 60 million board feet for 2008. BCA is challenging the Black Hills National Forest to conduct scientific analysis, take public input, and to set a sustainable sale quantity for the next decade.

BCA SEEKS MCCULLOUGH PEAKS DRILLING BLOCK

On March 7, 2008, BCA filed a formal request with the BLM state director to withdraw approval for a gas well proposed to be drilled in the wilderness badlands east of McCullough Peaks in the Bighorn Basin of north central Wyoming.  BCA submitted an intensive field inventory of the area in 2007 demonstrating that the lands proposed for drilling have wilderness qualities. BCA and other groups will be seeking long-term protection for these lands in the upcoming land-use planning process.  But the BLM completely ignored the issue of wilderness in its analysis of impacts for the well, and issued a "Finding of No Significant Impact" to skip the requirement to undertake a more thorough Environmental Impact Statement. For more information, visit http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/news/n7March08.html.

During its years of service, the BCA truck saved thousands of dollars in travel costs, allowing us to put much-needed funding toward the future Wyoming's last best places.  Sadly, the truck is no more and BCA is in need of reliable vehicles that get good gas mileage.  We need a four-wheel-drive vehicle we can use for public outings and media tours in the Wyoming outback, plus a vehicle (perhaps a hybrid?) that can tote our displays to public events throughout the region.  If you have such a vehicle that you would like to donate to BCA, please contact carmi@voiceforthewild.org, and thank you for helping our mission!

Summer approaches and with it a busy time of weddings and gift-giving. If your friendly future newlyweds are living in tight quarters, if you are the couple who already has everything, or if anyone involved feels that prosperous Wyoming wildlife is a meaningful gift for the future of the marriage, involving BCA in your plans is a good choice. Any wedding-goer can do it. A great free resource can be found at http://www.justgive.org/weddings/index.jsp. Read about charitable wedding favors, including charities on your invitations, and even create a free registry. Even one ceremony can make a big difference through the generosity of family and friends and by spreading the word of wildlife and wild places.