PLEASE Help Stop H.R. 1581, the "Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act"
Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Congressman Steve Pearce, that would roll back existing protections for tens of millions of acres of unprotected wilderness-quality public lands and National Forests across America. If passed, this legislation would open up some of our nation’s most fragile natural landscapes to oil and gas development, road construction, uncontrolled off-road vehicle use, and other unchecked development. The bill seeks to nullify the Roadless Rule and eliminate all BLM Wilderness Study Areas.
The bill summary reads: "To release wilderness study areas administered by the Bureau of Land Management that are not suitable for wilderness designation from continued management as de facto wilderness areas and to release inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System that are not recommended for wilderness designation from the land use restrictions of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Final Rule and the 2005 State Petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area Management Final Rule, and for other purposes."
This disastrous legislation would remove existing protections for Wilderness Study Areas and wilderness-quality Roadless Areas that are worthy of wilderness designation, but have not yet been "recommended" for wilderness designation by the responsible agency. Further, future land managers would be prevented from ever protecting new Wilderness Study Areas or unroaded Forest Service lands. Our most sensitive lands would be opened to uncontrolled development, road-building, and off-road vehicle use-- inevitably, they would lose their wilderness quality and would never again be eligible for the permanent protection they deserve!
This bill would essentially guarantee "No More Wilderness"-- forever!
Please take the time today to write to our elected representatives and urge them to do everything within their power to oppose H.R. 1581, the "No More Wilderness" Act. Use the form below to write a letter in your own words, and send a free fax to Representatives Heinrich and Lujan, and Senators Bingaman and Udall.
OUT-OF-STATE SUPPORTERS: You can send your messages directly to your home state's delegation by clicking here. THANKS for your support!