Great Burn Friends:
It's time to speak out for the Great Burn (deadline Monday, Feb 12). The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest is accepting comments for its Forest Plan revision process which will govern how the Great Burn Proposed Wilderness is managed for the next 20 to 30 years.
Will the Great Burn continue to be managed for its fish and wildlife habitat and wilderness values, or will it be opened to motorized and mechanized recreation, mining, or other extractive uses?
Don't delay - the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest will only be accepting comments until Monday, February 12th.
Please email your comments to both of these addresses:
fpr_npclw@fs.fed.us
zacharyapeterson@fs.fed.us
Here are some ideas for your comment:
- The Great Burn is one of the very largest intact blocks of wild country in the lower 48.
- The Great Burn is important for wildlife: it is a pivotal crossroads for wildlife connectivity for species like grizzlies, linking wildlands in the north with Central Idaho wildlands. The area is home to mountain goats, wolverine, lynx, and other animals that need room to roam without the impact of motorized recreation.
- The Great Burn has clear, cold wild rivers which are essential for native fish.
- The Great Burn's wilderness character has been acknowledged for decades by the Nez-Clear, including in its recent Travel Management Plan. Please include strong standards in the new Forest Plan that prohibit motorized and mechanized uses so that the Great Burn will continue to be eligible for Wilderness.
- Any non-wilderness activities (motorized and mechanized) on the Idaho side of the Great Burn will jeopardize wilderness character on the Montana side and therefore of the entire area.
Please submit your comment today to keep the Great Burn Proposed Wilderness just as it is.