#114 WILD NORTHWEST, October 26, 2004
A Message from Northwest Ecosystem Alliance
=====Keeping the Northwest Wild=====
Help Shape the Future for Washington's Wildlife and
Wildlands
Request habitat protection
and
restoration on the Okanogan/Wenatchee and Colville National
Forests
The Forest Service is currently revising its long-term management plans
for the Okanogan/Wenatchee National Forest along the east slope of the
Cascades, and the Colville National Forest in northeastern Washington.
These plans identify how many old-growth forests, roadless areas,
Wilderness areas, forests along streams and wetlands, and other areas
of
wildlife habitat will be protected. The plans will also determine how
many of these areas will be developed, grazed, logged, roaded, or
otherwise open to extraction. Right now is the best time to let the
Forest Service know how you want your public forests protected and
restored over the next decade.
Comments are needed by December 15, 2004. Email, write, or
voice
your opinion, and attend a public meeting if you can.
To send a personalized email from our action
center, go to
http://www.ecosystem.org/action/index.html?MessageTemplateID=1.
Or call, email, or send comments directly to the Forest
Service
at:
Colville, Okanogan, and Wenatchee National Forest Plans Revision
Team
1240 Second Avenue South
Okanogan, WA 98840
509-826-3275 (voice)
email:
r6_ewzplanrevision@fs.fed.us
Request that the Forest Service:
- Ensure the long-term viability of plants and animals, and their
habitat;
- Protect mature and old-growth forests, roadless areas, and stream
and
wetland habitats;
- Practice sustainable forestry to restore previously clearcut,
salvaged, and high-graded areas;
- Work with local citizen coalitions to design appropriate forest
fuel
reduction activities around homes and communities;
- Restrict off-road vehicle travel and cattle grazing in order to
protect wildlife, native plant communities, and wetlands; and
- Recommend areas to designate as wilderness and wild and scenic
rivers.
In eastern Washington, the Forest Service has scheduled several
public meetings,
http://www.ecosystem.org/calendar.html#meeting.
Only one meeting has been scheduled for western Washington residents --
it will be held in North Bend on October 28.
More information on the Forest Service plans revision can be found at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/colville/cow/
Please reply to this message to let us know
you
took action. And thank you for keeping the Northwest
wild!
Erin Moore
Communications Coordinator
Northwest Ecosystem Alliance
1208 Bay St., Ste. 201
Bellingham, WA 98225
360.671.9950 ext. 24
Keep the Northwest wild! For further information, please
visit
www.ecosystem.org.