Mike Johanns
Nominee for Secretary of Agriculture
c/o Secretary Ann Veneman
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave SW Room 200A
Washington, DC 20250

RE: Need for immediate moratorium on logging and roads in National Forests

Dear Mr. Johanns,

In anticipation of your confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture, I urge that you implement an immediate national moratorium on large-scale commercial logging and road construction on forests that are under the administration of the U.S. Forest Service. As we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Forest Service, it is imperative that the agency stop the tide of forest destruction and usher in a new century of forest protection and restoration for the benefit all Americans and future generations.

With eighty-five percent of our old growth forests already gone, a moratorium provides a 'time out' -- a period to investigate both the fiscal and environmental mismanagement of our public lands. It also provides an opportunity to stop the loss of our last key forest habitats that are vital to the nation's economic, social and environmental self-interest.

Please begin your new job by taking an important step toward fulfilling your new responsibility to the American people and our future by ordering an immediate halt to all National Forest road-construction and large scale-commercial logging. I will join millions of concerned Americans who care about our forests and our future in closely monitoring your actions regarding this vital issue.