| |||
|
Recreation Area, Wildlife of the Bow The Forest Service Needs to Hear Our Voices by November 27th
Keep the Medicine Bow WILD
Alternative Satellite Image of Snowy Range
Despite its value to wildlife and to people, the Snowy Range has experienced more logging and road building than any other part of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Over 2,000 miles of roads criss-cross the mountain range and the forests are riddled with clearcuts, many of which have yet to grow back. Although suffering, the Snowy Range still provides vital recreation oppor- tunities and wildlife habitat. Unfortunately the Snowy Range is still at risk. The Forest Service is proposing more clearcutting and road building, this time in the most popular recreation area in the Bow. Called the Silver Run Timber Sale, the proposal calls for 197 acres of clear-
The Silver Run Timber Sale is proposed for the forests along Highway 130 outside of the town of Centennial, the most popular recreation area on the Snowy Range. Even the Forest Service states, “The Silver Run Analysis Area probably contains the highest amount of year-round recreational use of any watershed within the Medicine Bow National Forest.” Some of the proposed clearcuts and roads will directly impact hiking and skiing trails in the Little Laramie and Corner Mountain trail systems (contact BCA for more information on trail impacts). On top of that, the timber sale will destroy habitat for rare and imperiled wildlife, like northern goshawk, pine marten, boreal owl, and lynx. While the Forest Service claims the timber sale will “restore” forest health, the agency also predicts that watershed health, wildlife populations, and habitat will decline. The health of our environment and our communities stands to suffer immensely. Yet the recreational opportunities and wildlife in the natural forests of the Snowy Range are more valuable than any timber that can be harvested. The Forest Service is currently asking for public comment on the Silver Run Timber Sale. Now is our chance to weigh-in in a big way. We have an opportunity to raise our voices in support of protecting quality recreation opportunities and wildlife on the Snowy Range and in support of the No Action Alternative! For today's and future generations and for the Medicine Bow National Forest, it is imperative that the Forest Service hear our voices now! Please write a letter, e-mail, call, or fax the Forest Service. Use the sample letter below and feel free to add or modify. Better yet, write your own personal letter, telling the Forest Service how much you value the Snowy Range, and the Silver Run timber sale area in particular, in its natural state for your health and happiness! Terry DeLay (Feel Free to Add or Modify) Dear Mr. DeLay: The following are my substantive comments on the Silver Run Timber Sale. I strongly urge you to pursue a No Action Alternative because of the irreversible impacts the timber sale will have upon recreational opportunities and wildlife in the timber sale area. These Silver Run area provides valuable opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, skiing, snowhoeing, hunting, wildlife viewing and other recreational activities. The Silver Run Timber Sale would impair the ability of people to enjoy these activities by logging (especially clearcutting) and building roads near popular skiing and hiking trails, developed recreation sites, and dispersed recreation areas. The forests of the Silver Run area also provide valuable wildlife habitat. The Snowy Range has already been extensively logged and an extensive road network has been constructed. This has significantly impacted many wildlife species, like northern goshawk, pine marten, boreal owl, and lynx. The Silver Run Timber Sale, through more clearcutting and road building, would add to these devastating cumulative impacts. The Silver Run Timber Sale must be canceled to ensure wildlife and wildlife viewing opportunities are protected. I have visited the forests along Highway 130 outside of Centennial and I believe they are far more valuable in their natural state. They are extremely popular for people and wildlife alike because they have not been heavily impacted by logging and road building. These forests are very important to me and to the quality of life in communities in and around the Snowy Range. For today’s and future generations, I again urge you pursue a No Action Alternative in the Silver Run area in order to protect recreational opportunities and wildlife. Thank you. Sincerely, [Remember To Put Your Name And Address]
|
