National forests proposal would weaken protections

The Obama administration recently proposed a new rule to direct planning and management of U.S. national forests. The rule should matter to people in our region.

National forest lands provide clean drinking water for most of Whatcom County. They are the river sources for most of the county's salmon, they provide inspiration and recreation to many through hiking, fishing, snowsports and river running and they support thousands of local jobs in the outdoor recreation industry. The future value of national forests will only increase as other water sources degrade, growing populations seek respite, more species become imperiled and our society recognizes forests as sponges that absorb carbon.