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September 10, 2002 President
George W. Bush
Executive Office of the President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW
1st Floor, West Wing
Washington, DC 20500 Dear
Mr. President: On
behalf of our nearly 300,000 members, I want to commend you for establishing the
"Healthy Forests Initiative." This initiative will go a long way in promoting
responsible land stewardship by protecting the environment and private property
from the devastation and destruction that wildfires leave in their paths. This
year alone, a record setting 5.9 million acres of public and private land have
been destroyed, resulting in tens of thousands of people being evacuated from
their homes and farms.
Although well intentioned, current land management practices are insufficient
in addressing safety precautions needed for the forests and rangelands in the
Western United States. Because of their high density, these areas burn at unnaturally
high temperatures and at an alarming rate, making the fires difficult to control,
dangerous to fight and result in long term environmental damage. It is imperative
that we cut through the red tape and end needless lawsuits and start implementing
sensible forest health projects through federal, state, local and tribal governments.
By establishing
a framework for protecting communities and the environment through such practices
as thinning of forests, planned burns and forest restoration projects, the "Healthy
Forests Initiative" is a step in the right direction towards protecting our land,
the environment and the safety and peace of mind of those Americans living near
forest and rangelands. Once again, we would like to thank you for enacting this
necessary piece of legislation. Sincerely,
Kermit Richardson, President
National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
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