Think Green Live Clean

Photo Credit: Indy Kethdy

From the disruption of Bush’s detrimental logging plans in Oregon to the newly stated U.S. Forest Management goal of ‘restoration and conservation’, the Obama administration is jumping through hoops to protect our National Forests. And by no means is this effort coming too soon with constant development threatening forests and wilderness areas  across our country. “It is time for a change in the way we view and manage America’s forestlands with an eye towards the future”, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at his first major policy address.  ”This will require a new approach that engages the American people and  stakeholders in conserving and restoring both our National Forests and privately owned forests. It is essential that we reconnect Americans across the nation with the natural resources and landscapes that sustain us”. (Side note: I’m writing this post on my phone as I “road trip” to Lake Powell for some good old shore-side camping)

The Obama administration has already charged forward with this new goal in mind by upholding a 2001 ban on development in our nations last road less wilderness areas. The ban had recently been shattered by a Wyoming Federal Court ruling, but the ruling was appealed by the Federal Government and the ban has already been reinstated.

In another court victory, the Federal Court in Northern California ended the Bush administration’s National Forest Planning Rules which had been designed to weaken pre-existing forest management laws for our country’s 192 million acres of National Forests…go Obama!

To read more check out the full article at the LA Times