"It must be concluded that the demand for wilderness experience on the ANF is very high,
given that half the country's population lies within a day's drive of the Forest....
It seems obvious that the demand for wilderness designation on the Forest is high, and the
available supply in the regional area is low."
- 1986 Allegheny National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan,
Chapter 2, page 5
America's national forests were established in part "to furnish a continuous
supply of timber for citizens of the United States." Further, the 1911 Weeks
Act, which allowed the federal government to establish the Allegheny
National Forest and other national forests in the eastern United States,
also provides for the "production of timber."
Friends of Allegheny Wilderness does not oppose logging in the Allegheny
National Forest, nor do we support the efforts of those who do.
However, important wrinkles have been added to the management scheme of the National
Forest System over the years. The 1960 Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act
states that "The establishment and maintenance of areas of wilderness are
consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Act." And of course, the
1964 Wilderness Act directed Congress to establish wilderness areas on
national forest land "In order to assure that an increasing population,
accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not
occupy and modify all areas within the United States and its possessions,
leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural
condition."
At less than two percent of its landbase protected as wilderness, the Allegheny
National Forest is sorely underrepresented in terms of acreage allocated to
America's National Wilderness Preservation System. Please explore our website
to find out how you can help rectify that situation for this, the home national forest
of Wilderness Act author Howard Zahniser!
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Write your members of Congress!
Designating wilderness requires an act of Congress. Urging your members of Congress to support Allegheny Wilderness is tremendously helpful. Here's how to do it:
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Download a draft letter (in Microsoft Word format) that urges support for Allegheny Wilderness. Fill in today's date, add your return address, and put your name at the bottom. If you like, edit the letter to reflect your own style and to express your personal feelings about the Allegheny.
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Print several copies of the letter, each with the proper salutation for the following members of congress. One copy each should go to Senator Arlen Specter and Senator Bob Casey. The primary targets in the House are Congressman John Peterson and Congressman Phil English. If you do not live in their districts, address the letter to your own U.S. Representative with copies to Congressmen English and Peterson. Find out who your representative is by visiting http://www.house.gov/
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Almost done! Just sign each letter, seal them in appropriately addressed and stamped envelopes (target addresses are below), and drop them in the mail!
Thank you for helping to support permanent protection for the last remaining wild areas of the Allegheny National Forest for future generations to use and enjoy!
The Honorable Bob Casey
United States Senator
17 South Park Row
Federal Building, Suite B-150
Erie, PA 16501
The Honorable Arlen Specter
United States Senator
17 South Park Row
Federal Building, Suite B-120
Erie, PA 16501
The Honorable Phil English
Member of Congress
208 East Bayfront Parkway, Suite 102
Erie, PA 16507
The Honorable John Peterson
Member of Congress
127 West Spring Street, Suite C
Titusville, PA 16354
DOUG SCOTT TALKS WILDERNESS!
Doug Scott, Policy Director for the Campaign for America's Wilderness, and author of The Enduring Wilderness: Protecting our Natural Heritage Through the Wilderness Act, recently traveled to the Allegheny National Forest region to discuss his book and the outlook for permanently protecting additional Pennsylvania wilderness.
During his trip, Doug found the time to stop in to the studios of WBFO in Buffalo, New York to discuss his book. His interview, which ran on the station's "Morning Edition" programming on March, can also be heard on the WBFO website.
Doug again graced the region's airwaves when he was interviewed for WYEP in Pittsburgh's July 11 "Allegheny Front" radio program. Listen online here!
Thank you!
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