by Rick Bass
URGENT
July 15, 2005
Dear Supporter of Yaak wilderness,
The Kootenai National Forest has released a "starting option" for the new Forest Plan, and, discouragingly, proposes to manage only two of our last fourteen roadless areas as wilderness in the new plan. Less than 5% of the Yaak Valley would be managed as wilderness under this alarmingly disproportionate starting option, and there is no representation at all in the entire Libby District of the Yaak! Please express your dismay that your voice was not heard--that there is insufficient wilderness proposed for the Yaak under the starting option, and in particular the glaring oversight of the entire Libby (as well as Rexford) ranger districts, with regard to wilderness in the Yaak.
Asks:
1) Manage Northwest Peaks as wilderness, for critical wilderness connectivity between upper and lower Yaak;
2)Add wilderness management to Libby and Rexford Districts, in the Yaak.
3) Expand proposed Roderick wilderness in the Yaak, as well as Northwest Peaks (it's critical to lynx, wolverine, mountain goats, and early spring use by grizzlies), and particularly the Gold Hill West, Buckhorn, Grizzly Peak, West Fork, Pink Mountain, Mt. Henry roadless areas.
And even though it is a hassle, we need you to send a copy of your letter to each of the following addresses:
Kirsten Kaiser, Forest Planner
Kootenai National Forest
W. Hwy 2
Libby, MT 59923
Senator Max Baucus
U.S. Senate
Washington DC 20510
Senator Conrad Burns
U.S. Senate
Washington D.C. 20510
Malcom Edwards,District Ranger
KNF
W. Hwy 2
Libby, MT 59923
Rep. Dennis Rehberg
U.S. House
Washington, D.C. 20515
Governor Brian Schweizter
State Capital
Helena, MT 59620
Mike Balbomi, District Ranger
Three Rivers District
1437 Hwy 2 West
Troy, MT 59935
Gail Kimbell, Regional Forester
USFS
P.O.Box 7669
Missoula, MT 59807
Yaak Valley Forest Council
155 Riverview
Troy, Montana 59935
Thanks so much. A little bit of effort in the next few days can protect tens of thousands of acres of the most biologically rich wilderness in the Lower 48 forever, as the formative Forest Plan continues to be crafted. And thank you for your support of the grassroots/front-line Yaak Valley Forest Council (info@yaakvalley.org). These will be the best nine stamps you ever expended, on behalf of the Yaak, and wilderness, and the most imperiled population of grizzlies-at-the-brink in North America. Thank you!!
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