Healthy Forests Alert - Round Three EXTREMELY URGENT ALERT October 1, 2002 This is the third time we've issued the alert, but the Senate firestorm debate is still raging over the President's Healthy Forest initiative. Senate opponents want to bury this issue. They want to ignore it...We can't let them! Our opponents are re-issuing their alerts, and they are pouring in the emails, faxes and calls! If Senators don't hear from us, they will think we've given up! You need to act a third time! Calls and faxes are likely more effective this time than emails. Below is a list of Senators who need to hear from you! Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) - Phone: 202-224-5521, Fax: 202-224-2852 Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) - Phone: 202-224-5244, Fax: 202-228-2717 Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) - Phone: 202-224-3841, Fax: 202-228 3954 Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) - Phone: 202-224-2651, Fax: 202-228-3687 Senator Mark Dayton (D-MN) - Phone: 202-224-3244, Fax: 202-228-2186 Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) - Phone: 202-224-4843, Fax: 202-228 1371 Talking Points - "Please support the President's Healthy Forest Initiative..." We must protect our public lands from devastating wildfires and inactive management All forests must have same protections that Senator Daschle gave to South Dakota Protecting communities alone does not protect wildlife habitat or valued recreation lands. We need to protect ALL of our public lands. Below is a faxable letter. Copy and paste into your word processor. DATE: FAX TO: Senator __________ FROM: _____Your name and address_____ SUBJECT: President Bush's Healthy Forest Initiative Dear Senator __________: For weeks, the Senate has been debating President Bush's Healthy Forest Initiative. It is urgent that you now support this legislation. You are well aware that catastrophic wildfires are burning throughout the West. These fires are destroying important recreation facilities and wrecking havoc on important wildlife habitat as well as threatening communities. For many years, forest management professionals have had their hands tied by an endless parade of lawsuits and appeals filed by anti-access groups. The American taxpayer is being asked to cover the expected 1.5 billion dollar fire-fighting bill this year. As a recreationist, I am concerned that important expenditures on trail maintenance, campground repairs, and habitat restoration projects will be put on hold because those funds are being diverted to the fire effort. Lands important for recreation are also being devastated by the fires. Please support the President's effort to protect the health of our forests. The Healthy Forest Initiative should serve as the foundation on which the land agencies base a viable active management program for our federal timber and grasslands. Sincerely, _____Your name_____ If you really prefer to send e-mail, please see our Rapid Response site at: http://capwiz.com/share/issues/alert/?alertid=511661 Your calls, faxes and emails have kept this issue alive! Please keep up the good work and respond once more! Many Thanks!