The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee will vote on Tuesday, October 21 to pass the so-called "Fix Our Forests Act" (S. 1462) out of committee so the full Senate can vote on the bill.
The U.S. House passed its version of the bill this past spring, and while the Senate version is slightly different, the "Fix Our Forests Act" will dramatically change how America’s national forests will be managed, and Wilderness won't be spared.
It's imperative that you call your senators at 202-224-3121 and urge them to oppose the "Fix Our Forests Act." If you senator is on the Agriculture Committee, it's especially important that you make the call!
The "Fix Our Forests Act" will expand destructive livestock grazing in national forests, including in Wilderness. Taxpayers already heavily subsidize livestock grazing, as livestock are permitted to displace wildlife, trample streamside vegetation, and spread invasive, flammable weeds for literally just pennies a day.
Dominating Wilderness with more livestock grazing and manager-ignited fires will not eliminate climate and weather-induced fire severity, but will eliminate the purpose of Wilderness—landscapes and communities of life undominated and "untrammeled" by humans.
The "Fix Our Forests Act" also hobbles public participation in public lands management, National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act requirements, and imposes very short timelines for judicial review and relief.
Please call your senators TODAY at 202-224-3121 and tell them:
"I'm calling from [your city and state] asking Senator [last name] to oppose the 'Fix Our Forests Act.' The bill would override bedrock environmental laws to increase livestock grazing and widespread use of manager-ignited fire in Wilderness. Increasing livestock grazing that taxpayers already heavily subsidize will cost taxpayers more while spreading more flammable, invasive weeds. I urge Senator [last name] to vote NO on the ‘Fix Our Forests Act.'"
After you call your senators, please also send your senators this email.
Thank you for speaking up for Wilderness, public lands, and the wildlife that call these places home! |
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Help us protect America's National Wilderness Preservation System. |
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