Mr. William Bass, Supervisor
Big Horn National Forest
2013 Eastside 2nd Street
Sheridan, WY 82801

RE: My comments on Draft Forest Plan, Big Horn NF

Dear Supervisor Bass,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft forest plan for the Big Horn.

As you know, the Big Horn National Forest is an island mountain paradise, surrounded by a sea of prairies. At 13,175 feet, Cloud Peak rises in the center of its 189,000 acre wilderness. Sacred to the Cheyenne and Sioux, the Forest is a place of lush grasslands, alpine meadows, and high rugged peaks. The Big Horn is crowned by the Cloud Peak Wilderness, but another 433,000 acres of wild lands need to be protected for future generations and not sacrificed to enhance short-term profit for logging companies.

I urge you to take a pro-wilderness approach to the forest's management by including Lodge Grass Creek, Pete's Hole and Cedar Creek roadless areas, as well as Little Bighorn, Rock Creek, Walker Prairie, Devil's Canyon, and Medicine Lodge among your wilderness recommendations. Devil's Canyon boundaries should be extended to the original 12,476 acres included in the Preliminary Alternatives.

Also, it is essential that the agency has a clear analysis of recreational and other demands for forest use. Planners should conduct a comprehensive recreation and transportation analysis and plan with an aim toward closing unnecessary or damaging roads and motorized trails, and protecting the maximum number of roadless areas.

Finally, I urge you to conduct a re-inventory of roadless areas on the forest, with the Roadless Area Conservation Rule's boundaries fully restored to all roadless areas.

I join many Americans in asking that the Forest Service do whatever it takes to ensure that Big Horn’s majesty remains for future generations to experience.

copy to:
Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad
U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
American Embassy
The Great Masoud Road
Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

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