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Kelsey-Whisky Sample Letter and Talking Points
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SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Elected Official,
I am writing to express my support for the old-growth forests near the lower Rogue River. The Medford BLM is moving forward with the Kelsey-Whisky timber sale, which would cut ancient and roadless forests northwest of Grants Pass. I am asking you to intervene on behalf of these forests that provide extremely rare ecological and recreational assets to our communities.
Kelsey-Whisky would cut into the 46,500-acre Zane Grey Roadless Area – the largest forested roadless area administered by the BLM in America. The benefits of roadless areas and old-growth forests are well documented. The long-term values of the Zane Grey better serve the American public than the short-term profit of old-growth logging.
Despite overwhelming opinion to protect old-growth and roadless forests, including 2/3rds of Oregonians, the BLM continues to convert the public’s old-growth forests into tree plantations. Elected officials, fishermen, rafting companies, the Native Plant Society, local landowners and concerned citizens have asked that the BLM spare the older forests in the Kelsey-Whisky project area, and to protect the Zane Grey as a Wilderness Area.
I am asking that you join our effort to protect this unique area on the lower Rogue River. Thinning small diameter trees in existing tree plantations and near communities to improve the health of the forest is a better alternative than chopping down our healthiest forests, such as those in the Zane Grey. Please contact the BLM and urge them to cancel their plans to log the ancient forests in Kelsey-Whisky.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
TALKING POINTS
1. Conservationists and loggers agree that small-diameter plantation thinning can result in healthier forests, local jobs and wood fiber. Given the win-win nature of small-diameter timber sales, why is the Medford BLM pushing forward with old-growth and roadless logging in the Kelsey-Whisky timber sale?
2. The vast majority of Americans, including 2/3rds of Oregonians, want to see old-growth forests protected. This widespread opinion was illustrated by the majority of comments submitted to the BLM on their proposal to log Kelsey-Whisky. Yet the BLM continues to go against what the public wants.
3. The Zane Grey Roadless Area, straddling the famed lower Rogue River, is the largest forested roadless area administered by the BLM in America. The long-term ecological, economic, and recreational values of the Zane Grey better serve the American public than the short-term profit of logging.
4. Southwest Oregon is home to one of the most biologically diverse old-growth ecosystems in the country. An area like the Zane Grey deserves protection as a natural legacy, not conversion to a biologically deficient fiber plantation.
Dear Elected Official,
I am writing to express my support for the old-growth forests near the lower Rogue River. The Medford BLM is moving forward with the Kelsey-Whisky timber sale, which would cut ancient and roadless forests northwest of Grants Pass. I am asking you to intervene on behalf of these forests that provide extremely rare ecological and recreational assets to our communities.
Kelsey-Whisky would cut into the 46,500-acre Zane Grey Roadless Area – the largest forested roadless area administered by the BLM in America. The benefits of roadless areas and old-growth forests are well documented. The long-term values of the Zane Grey better serve the American public than the short-term profit of old-growth logging.
Despite overwhelming opinion to protect old-growth and roadless forests, including 2/3rds of Oregonians, the BLM continues to convert the public’s old-growth forests into tree plantations. Elected officials, fishermen, rafting companies, the Native Plant Society, local landowners and concerned citizens have asked that the BLM spare the older forests in the Kelsey-Whisky project area, and to protect the Zane Grey as a Wilderness Area.
I am asking that you join our effort to protect this unique area on the lower Rogue River. Thinning small diameter trees in existing tree plantations and near communities to improve the health of the forest is a better alternative than chopping down our healthiest forests, such as those in the Zane Grey. Please contact the BLM and urge them to cancel their plans to log the ancient forests in Kelsey-Whisky.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
TALKING POINTS
1. Conservationists and loggers agree that small-diameter plantation thinning can result in healthier forests, local jobs and wood fiber. Given the win-win nature of small-diameter timber sales, why is the Medford BLM pushing forward with old-growth and roadless logging in the Kelsey-Whisky timber sale?
2. The vast majority of Americans, including 2/3rds of Oregonians, want to see old-growth forests protected. This widespread opinion was illustrated by the majority of comments submitted to the BLM on their proposal to log Kelsey-Whisky. Yet the BLM continues to go against what the public wants.
3. The Zane Grey Roadless Area, straddling the famed lower Rogue River, is the largest forested roadless area administered by the BLM in America. The long-term ecological, economic, and recreational values of the Zane Grey better serve the American public than the short-term profit of logging.
4. Southwest Oregon is home to one of the most biologically diverse old-growth ecosystems in the country. An area like the Zane Grey deserves protection as a natural legacy, not conversion to a biologically deficient fiber plantation.