Open Letters to Our Leaders

I strongly oppose the Bush administration's recent decision to revoke the Roadless Area Conservation Rule and replace it with a burdensome and uncertain state petition process. Protecting the 58.5 million acres of National Forest Roadless Areas is a core responsibility of the U.S. Forest Service to all Americans. It should not be contingent on action by state governors.

Therefore, I hereby petition you to withdraw the decision of Under Secretary Mark Rey, published on Friday, May 13, 2005, revoking the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and instituting a state petition process.

Sincerely,

I am writing as a supporter of Defenders of Wildlife to express my serious concern about your recent decision to hand over management of gray wolves to the State of Idaho.

Wolves once roamed through all of the lower 48 states. Now they survive on less than 5 percent of their former range. Their continued survival depends on effective wolf management in Idaho and elswhere and responsible leadership from your office.

As recently as last month, the co-chairman of the Idaho Anti-Wolf Campaign told the Los Angeles Times that "We will get rid of these wolves, one way or another." In 2001 Idaho legislators passed -- and the governor signed -- a resolution calling for the elimination of wolves "by any means necessary."

Given the strong antipathy towards wolves by some in the state government, I am deeply troubled by your decision to turn over management of Idaho's fragile wolf population. Strong federal protections are still needed to safeguard our wolves.

In the future, I hope you will be more mindful of your important responsibility to enforce the Endangered Species Act across the nation and to protect and recover America's grey wolf.

Thank you for considering my comments.