Forest Watch News and Events
Oct. 17, 2005
http://www.forestwatch.org
In this issue:
--Court Turns Denies Forest Service Petition on Old Joe Sale
--Tell Bernie You Support More Wilderness
--U.S. House Passes Anti-Endangered Species Bill
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COURT DENIES FOREST SERVICE PETITION ON OLD JOE SALE
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently dealt another blow to the Forest Service regarding the Old Joe Timber Sale on the Green Mountain National Forest. Last week the Court, based in New York City, denied the Forest Service's petition for a panel rehearing on the Old Joe lawsuit. Forest Watch and two other conservation groups had prevailed against the federal agency in their appeal to the Second Circuit earlier this summer. This latest decision by the Court of Appeals leaves only the Supreme Court if the federal agency chooses to follow with further legal action to force the sale.
The Old Joe Timber Sale has been the focus of conflict between conservationists and the Forest Service for years. Forest Watch has taken issue with the sale's location in the watersheds of some of the most pristine streams in the state, and the agency's lack of adequate analysis regarding the sale's impacts on wildlife, and its social and economic costs and benefits.
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TELL BERNIE YOU SUPPORT MORE WILDERNESS
Congressman Bernie Sanders recently sent a mailing to his constituents that included a postage-paid reply card with a space labeled "What else is on your mind?"
This is a good chance for Sanders to hear from a lot of Vermont wilderness supporters. If you have not already returned the card, please consider using that space to ask Bernie to introduce a substantial wilderness bill for the Green Mountain National Forest.
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U.S. HOUSE PASSES ANTI-ENDANGERED SPECIES BILL
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill at the end of September that would significantly weaken protections for the nation's wildlife and plants. The deceptively titled bill, "Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act" (HR 3824) eliminates protections for species' critical habitat; repeals protections against hazardous pesticides; and officially politicizes decisions regarding endangered species that heretofore were based solely (at least in theory) on science.
The bill's chief sponsor was Rep. Pombo (R) of California, who has made it his legislative mission to gut the Endangered Species Act (ESA), one of the cornerstone environmental protection laws in the country.
The bill now moves to the Senate. To see how your representative voted, go to http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll506.xml.
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"I am testifying as an emotional woman and I would like to ask you, gentlemen, what‚s wrong with emotion? Beauty is a resource in and of itself. Alaska must be allowed to be Alaska, that is her greatest economy. I hope the United States of America is not so rich that she can afford to let these wildernesses pass by, or so poor she cannot afford to keep them."
Mardy Murie's testimony before Congress, in support of the Alaska Lands Act of 1980. Mardy was an author, wildlife biologist, and lifelong advocate of wilderness. She died at the age of 101 in 2003.
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Forest Watch News and Events
Oct. 17, 2005
news@forestwatch.org
http://www.forestwatch.org
PO Box 188
Richmond, VT 05477
802-434-2388
If you'd like to send a contribution to Forest Watch today for the future of wild forests and all our wildlife, please enclose a check to Forest Watch, PO Box 188, Richmond, VT 05477. All contributions are tax-deductible. Thanks!
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