Letter: President’s plan to protect forests deserves support

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000 | 9:07 a.m.

This is a historic initiative that could lead to the protection of 60 million acres of our last unspoiled wild forests.

These are places where the mark of people is almost invisible, where wild things still thrive in serene and almost-untouched places, where water and air are the cleanest to be found, places that are invigorating and inspiring.

Sometimes we Nevadans have to remind ourselves that much of our state is forest land -- land that is managed for the public by the Forest Service. The president's wild forest protection plan would protect much of the roadless areas remaining in our Nevada desert forests.

Access to these public places is assured, but it must be access that has low impact to fragile ecosystems. Roads can be used as trailheads to walk or horseback into the wild places. There are plenty of roads already in existence to provide off-highway road enthusiasts opportunity for their sport.

Our national forests should be protected from all damaging activities. I support the protection of all wild forest roadless areas over 1,000 acres from all damaging activities. I urge our elected officials to publicly support the president's historic plan.

JANE FELDMAN

Editor's note: Jane Feldman is chairwoman of the Conservative Committee of the Sierra Club's Toiyabe chapter.