To: Sylvia Clark, U.S. Forest Service Boulder District Ranger and Ron Archuleta, Deputy Forest Supervisor
Stop the Unnecessary Logging of Our Forest!
We believe the current Forsythe Project does not meet the needs of the citizens, or our forest, due to significant differences between conditions on the ground and assumptions forming the basis of the project, as follows:
1) This project for wildfire hazard mitigation and mountain pine beetle (MPB) control was based on a forecast that almost all of the conifers in our area would be dead or dying from MPB, causing a significant wildfire hazard. Conifers in the area are healthy and green. Experts say the MPB epidemic has diminished.
2) Given the robust health of the forest in this area, we are concerned that the current plan will INCREASE wildfire hazard by replacing healthy, mature forests with increased ground and ladder fuels from untreated regrowth and by leaving countless numbers of slash piles on the ground for years.
3) We are also deeply concerned that the project's task orders do not follow the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project or the 1997 Arapaho Roosevelt Forest Plan, and represent an egregious breach of trust of your contract (the EA) with the people.
We ask that the project be halted, either permanently or for sufficient time to create an additional EA to more accurately reflect the fact that MPB is no longer epidemic, and hence the wildfire hazard is not what was predicted. All people impacted by this project, irrespective of prior comment, should have the opportunity to comment on a new EA based on these changed conditions.
1) This project for wildfire hazard mitigation and mountain pine beetle (MPB) control was based on a forecast that almost all of the conifers in our area would be dead or dying from MPB, causing a significant wildfire hazard. Conifers in the area are healthy and green. Experts say the MPB epidemic has diminished.
2) Given the robust health of the forest in this area, we are concerned that the current plan will INCREASE wildfire hazard by replacing healthy, mature forests with increased ground and ladder fuels from untreated regrowth and by leaving countless numbers of slash piles on the ground for years.
3) We are also deeply concerned that the project's task orders do not follow the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project or the 1997 Arapaho Roosevelt Forest Plan, and represent an egregious breach of trust of your contract (the EA) with the people.
We ask that the project be halted, either permanently or for sufficient time to create an additional EA to more accurately reflect the fact that MPB is no longer epidemic, and hence the wildfire hazard is not what was predicted. All people impacted by this project, irrespective of prior comment, should have the opportunity to comment on a new EA based on these changed conditions.
Why is this important?
HELP SAVE OUR FOREST FROM DESTRUCTION. The Forest Service is logging our local forests with an ill-conceived plan under the name of fire mitigation. This plan will not only destroy wildlife habitat, wreak destruction on scenic beauty, eliminate sound, sight, and wind buffers in neighborhoods, and cause plummeting home values, but will also INCREASE fire risk.
While it may open up some views, from a distance, imagine how devastated you would feel to have a forest clearcut right up to your property boundaries. You would no longer see the usual wildlife in your yard, the birds would disappear from your feeders, and that quiet morning walk in the woods would be a thing of the past. One recent clearcut is adjacent to Susan W.'s property -- ask her if you want to know how these cuts have affected the wildlife, birds, and quality of life for her and her neighbors.
Please sign our petition to demand a stop to this poorly planned project. Share it with your friends, particularly those in the area (Boulder County, Gilpin County, Denver, and surrounds).
Thank you for signing.
While it may open up some views, from a distance, imagine how devastated you would feel to have a forest clearcut right up to your property boundaries. You would no longer see the usual wildlife in your yard, the birds would disappear from your feeders, and that quiet morning walk in the woods would be a thing of the past. One recent clearcut is adjacent to Susan W.'s property -- ask her if you want to know how these cuts have affected the wildlife, birds, and quality of life for her and her neighbors.
Please sign our petition to demand a stop to this poorly planned project. Share it with your friends, particularly those in the area (Boulder County, Gilpin County, Denver, and surrounds).
Thank you for signing.