Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today marks the end of the public comment period for a U.S. Forest Service proposal to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Act ensures environmental analysis of projects affecting public lands and forests. The proposed changes clear the way for increased logging, mining and other destructive development in our forests, even as world scientists stress the urgency of protecting and restoring forests to combat the climate crisis.
The revisions dramatically curtail the role of the public and science in land management decisions. They would allow more than 93% of proposed projects on national forests and grasslands to move forward without public involvement.
In response, Kirin Kennedy, Sierra Club deputy legislative director for lands and wildlife issued the following response.
“Yet again the Trump administration wants to roll back vital safeguards and curtail public input. This rule will make it easier to log, drill and mine our forests-- actions that will be doubly bad for our climate by both increasing pollution and limiting our ability to reduce it. The world’s scientists have been extremely clear. The window to combat the climate crisis is closing, and our forests must play a vital role in providing a solution.
“The Forest Service should abandon this plan to move destructive projects forward behind closed doors. Decisions about national forests must be made in the light of day, and guided by public and scientific input.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.