Rewild National Forest System lands and waters

In this 20th anniversary year of the Roads Rule, we urge you to call upon the U.S. Forest Service to renew their commitment to restoration by reducing harm from roads. When damaged lands are rewilded, waters and habitat are protected, wildlife return, and a resilience to climate change begins to be built.

Join the rewilding movement and sign this letter asking the incoming Secretary of Agriculture to lead the Forest Service towards a new future.

For more background information, please check out this blog post where you can download our new report titled “A Dilapidated Web of Roads—The Forest Service’s Departure From a ‘Sustainable’ Forest Road System.”

Recipients

Tom Vilsack, nominee, Secretary of Agriculture

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Message

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Dear Secretary-nominee Vilsack,

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Twenty years ago, the U.S. Forest Service adopted the Roads Rule creating a fundamental shift in policy. For the first time in over 100 years, the agency recognized the damage caused by relentless road construction and the need to reduce harm from the vastly oversized, degrading road system.

We congratulate the agency on these past two decades of work. Watershed health has improved where roads have been decommissioned. Wildlife have found security where roads were eliminated. Streams have been connected where culverts have been removed. Forest Service staff recognize the environmental, social, and economic impacts caused by too many roads.

Yet, the momentum created by the Roads Rule has vanished. On this anniversary year, we are asking for a renewal. A renewed commitment from you to meet the goals of the Roads Rule and a broad scale resurgence in effort from all Forest Service staff at all levels.

As managers of 190 million acres of public land, including over 220,000 miles of streams, the Forest Service has enormous responsibility to current and future generations that transcends any short-term objective. We believe the agency needs to strongly embrace the mission of protection and restoration. The clearest path is via road decommissioning.

Key areas of focus should include:

* Preserving and growing Roadless Areas, which reduces carbon and serves as an important part of global natural climate solutions.
* Removing roads and reconnecting fish and wildlife habitat for imperiled species such as grizzly bears, elk, Chinook salmon, and bull trout. 
* Protecting areas crucial for the survival of winter-dependent species such as lynx, wolverine, and mountain goats.
* Ensuring clean drinking water flows from the forests to the faucets of nearby communities. 
* Effectively managing roads for recreation to ensure the places people love to visit remain wild and free from damage. 
* Holding staff accountable by establishing performance goals.

We are entrusting you to heal these lands and waters from past harm and protect them for future generations. Now is the time for renewal. Recharge the Forest Service priorities and act to ensure wildlife, water, habitat, and wild places are resilient.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]