To: Governor Kate Brown, Sen. Ron Wyden (OR-1), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR-2)
Protect Our BLM Backyard Forests
I support the protection and restoration of the 2.6 million acres of BLM forests in western Oregon. These forests provide clean water, salmon habitat and old-growth forests that make Oregon a great place to live. They also provide millions of dollars to local communities from travel and recreation. Please support a Community Conservation Alternative that would:
1) Shift BLM priorities toward forest and watershed restoration.
2) Achieve economic objectives through restoration activities.
3) Collaborate with communities to develop forest management and recreation opportunities.
4) Preserve the remaining older forests and restore Oregon's iconic salmon runs.
5) Ensure these remain public forests managed under federal environmental safeguards.
1) Shift BLM priorities toward forest and watershed restoration.
2) Achieve economic objectives through restoration activities.
3) Collaborate with communities to develop forest management and recreation opportunities.
4) Preserve the remaining older forests and restore Oregon's iconic salmon runs.
5) Ensure these remain public forests managed under federal environmental safeguards.
Why is this important?
Western Oregon BLM manages 2.6 million acres of public forests - some of the greatest temperate conifer forests in the world. Western Oregon BLM forests surround our communities. People live next to BLM forests, we recreate in BLM forests, and we get our drinking water from BLM forests. There are currently two major developments on Oregon BLM forests. 1) Legislative proposals to manage large portions of BLM forests for the sole purpose of timber production and 2) The Obama Administration has initiated the process of creating a new management plan for these special public lands. Your voice is needed.