On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a version of the Farm Bill that, among many detrimental provisions, includes language that would be disastrous for all national Forests: Section 8204 “Insects and Disease Infestation”—a deceptive title. (You can read about it by clicking here and scrolling to pages 701 and 703.)
This section of the Farm Bill would repeal the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to allow logging projects up to 3,000 acres in size to be implemented on National Forests without any environmental analysis of harmful effects to water quality, wildlife or rare, threatened or endangered species.
It would also eliminate administrative appeals on these projects, eliminating public participation in these forest management decisions.
The U.S. Senate may vote on the Farm Bill as early as this week—the first week of February!
Act now and urge your Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to strike Section 8204 from the 2014 Farm Bill because of the harm that Section 8204 would cause to our National Forests. If Section 8204 is not removed, urge them to vote against the 2014 Farm Bill.
Call the capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: Farm Bill, Maria Cantwell, NEPA, patty murray, Puget Sound, US Senate |
