|
|
|
In 1999 Friends of the Abajos formed to call attention to a little known mountain range in SE Utah. We are now known as Red Rock Forests, so that our voice can be heard throughout the redrock canyon forests of all of Southern Utah.
BLM Oil and Gas Lease Sale on December 19, 2008 of public lands in SE Utah Click here for maps, who to call and how to get involved. FYI: Lease Protest deadline is December 4, 2008. ANNOUNCING: November 24th Community Meeting at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (111 E 100 North), 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Refreshments provided! See attached flyer! Dear Red Rock Forests Members and Lovers of Red Rock Country: I'm sure by now you have heard the news about the Bush Administration's last 'hail mary' assault on public lands, this time in our beloved red rock country. We are buoyed by news that the Obama Administration plans to 'rollback' some of the oil and gas decisions, and that this proposed lease sale - that will impact Arches and Canyonlands National Park, Desolation Canyon, and thousands of acres of wilderness quality public lands - is front and center in the efforts. While we are thrilled with the Obama Adminstration's plans, we must not forget that this lease sale is slated for December 19th, before inauguration day. We are hearing concerns that the Bush Administration is doing everything it can to ensure that the parcels sold on that date will stick, despite the best intentions of the Obama Administration. We are doing everything we can to fight this effort NOW! More than ever, we urge you not to miss the opportunity to heed Barack Obama's call to service and speak out for these national treasures! We urge everyone not to get lulled into the thought that 'Obama will make it all better.' HE NEEDS OUR HELP NOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
please bookmark and check it often!
Comment Deadline: December 16, 2008 The Dixie National Forest has released their Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Oil and Gas Leasing on the forest. The entire document can be viewed at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie/projects/oil_gas/index.shtml. Red Rock Forests, along with members of the Three Forests Coalition, were instrumental in the development of Alternative B, which was predicated on the concept of providing for valid commercial uses within the needs of the native species and ecosystems, as opposed to subordinating those needs to development. The agency has stated that it prefers Alternative C, not B. Alternative C relies on No Surface Occupancy (NSO) to meet the standards and guidelines of the Forest Plan. Alternative B relies on No Leasing (NL) in an effort to protect forest resources long past our short-sided political agenda on energy. A crucial example of how Alternative B is protective of ecosystems:
Alternative B would apply a No Leasing option, the most restrictive leasing option, to the following: Inventoried Roadless Areas Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers (within Ό mile of each outer streambank) Areas with a ROS classification of primitive Sage grouse leks (with a 1-mile buffer) Sage grouse summer, nesting, and brood rearing habitat Crucial and Substantial deer and elk winter range Crucial deer and elk summer range Designated Critical Habitat for Mexican spotted owl Fisheries (native trout habitat) Streams, lakes, springs, wetlands, floodplains, and riparian areas Municipal watersheds Research Natural Areas Send your letter of support today for Alternative B and tell the Dixie National Forest that native species and ecosystems come first in protecting our public lands, not commercial and industrial development! Comments may be e-mailed to: dixie_oil_gas_eis_comments@fs.fed.us (E-mailed comments must be submitted in MS Word (*.doc) or rich text format (*.rtf) and should include Oil and Gas Leasing in the subject line.) Comments can be sent via surface mail to: Susan Baughman, Oil and Gas Leasing Project Manager, Dixie National Forest, 1789 N. Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, Utah 84720. A big THANK YOU to all our volunteers in 2008! We've had great success in protecting habitat & restoring vegetation in the La Sals and Abajos - we couldn't do it without our awesome & hardworking volunteers! Public Lands Day - September 2008 - Backpack/Rehab Project in Arch Canyon
Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation has renewed our Challenge Grant. Our NEW goal is to raise $75,000 for Red Rock Forests' Oil and Gas Campaign for the Canyonlands Basin by December 30, 2008. We hope we can continue to count on your support! To donate online, click the "donate" tab above.
Here at Red Rock Forests, we are proud to be a WabiSabi Non-Profit Partner. What does this mean? Every time you BUY or DONATE at a WabiSabi Store, you can vote for a Non-Profit Partner. The MORE votes a non-profit partner gets, the bigger our twice-yearly financial award!
Store Locations: Thriftique, 411 Locust Lane, Moab, Utah Warehouse/Building Materials Store, 14 West 200 South, Moab, Utah Travel Planning in the La Sals - Coming Fall 2008
(click here for details on how to get involved NOW!)  photo by RRF Member Tom Till Join Red Rock Forests' email alert list! We'll keep you up to date on important project deadlines and opportunities for public input on projects happening on the forests of SE Utah. Click here to see our Newsletter archives. Check out our job, intern, and volunteer opportunities
Special thanks to our longtime volunteer website consultant and coach, Tom Messenger! Last Updated November, 2008
|
WE
MADE OUR CHALLENGE GRANT GOAL! THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND DONORS!!!
