Get Out, Speak Up - May 2002

National Headlines

1. Speak Up for the Highlands Stewardship Act

Regional Headlines

2. Stick Up for Massachusetts Forests and Parks 
3. Victory for New Hampshire's Rivers

Upcoming Events

4. Planning the Future of the White Mountains, MA, ME, NH


1. Speak Up for the Highlands Stewardship Act

The Highlands region of NY, NJ, PA, and CT forms a critical greenbelt around the sprawling metropolitan area, containing forested watersheds and reservoirs that provide clean drinking water to 11 million residents, wildlife habitat, and public open space for recreation. Legislation will soon be introduced in Congress to protect the Highlands' forests and waters that are severely threatened by suburban sprawl and industrial development. The Highlands Stewardship Act would authorize $25 million annually from the Land & Water Conservation Fund to protect priority lands identified by the US Forest Service's recent study of the region and state open space plans. Technical assistance would also be provided to private landowners and communities to better manage growth and protect critical resources. 

TAKE ACTION Please urge your member of Congress to co-sponsor the Highlands Stewardship Act to protect the lands and waters of this nationally significant region from suburban sprawl. 

2. Stick Up for Massachusetts Forests and Parks

Get out to your local Massachusetts forest or park and drum up support for safe trails, adequate staffing and strong natural resource protection. More than ever these quiet forests close to our homes are losing ground to lack of funding, inadequate staffing and non-traditional uses like off-road vehicles. As state budgets shrink, so do the funds needed for the upkeep and protection of these state lands. Join other who are coming together to support our natural and cultural heritage. Through the actions of a united, active corps of volunteers, you can help make public land stewardship a priority in Massachusetts. Check out www.forestsandparks.org for ideas on what you, your family, and your friends can do to support Massachusetts Forests and Parks. 

TAKE ACTION Download materials and learn how you can help drum up support for your local MA parks at: http://www.forestsandparks.org/ or email AMC's Bryan Wentzell at bwentzell@amcinfo.org for your MA Forests and Parks Action Kit. 

3. Victory for River Protection in NH

AMC Conservation Action Network (AMC-CAN) members in New Hampshire stepped up last month to help pass a bill in the New Hampshire Legislature that will help protect water flow levels in some of the state's most sensitive rivers. In March, a bill that would have hindered river protection in NH was expected by many to pass in the House, but thanks in part to over 300 letters sent to 127 legislators from AMC-CAN members the bill was defeated. This defeat propelled lawmakers, business interests, and conservation groups (including AMC) to the table to create a bill that would protect water levels for fish, wildlife, and recreation. The bill, HB 1449-A, was passed by both the House and the Senate and is expected to be signed by Governor Jeanne Shaheen in the next few weeks. When passed into law this bill will establish a pilot program to study and establish instream flow protections and water management plans for the Lamprey River and Souhegan River. 

4. Planning the Future of the White Mountains

The future of the White Mountain National Forest - nearly 800,000 acres of dark spruce forests, alpine tundra, and mountain streams - is in the process of being charted, and your input is needed! Every 10-15 years the Forest Service rewrites the plan that guides the management of the Forest. In 2000, the Forest Service asked the public to share their thoughts on the future of the forest. At that time more than 2,000 AMC members and activists wrote letters to the Forest Service advocating on behalf of roadless area protection, quality backcountry recreation and against the introduction of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). At meetings over the next month, you will have an opportunity to learn how the Forest Service has used the public comments and where the future opportunities are for your involvement. Your voice does count and in fact, strong conservation voices are greatly needed. You will find out more about how the Forest Plan revision process works, and discuss how you can be involved in the future. 

For more information, contact AMC's Bryan Wentzell at bwentzell@amcinfo.org (617-523-0655, ext386) or contact the Forest Service directly at (603) 528-8796. 

May 7 - Bartlett Town Hall, Bartlett, NH, 7-9 PM 
May 8 - Plymouth Town Hall, Plymouth, NH, 7-9 PM 
May 13 - Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME, 2-4 PM 
May 14 - Town and Country Motor Inn, Shelburne, NH, 7-9 PM 
May 16 - Holiday Inn, Concord, NH, 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM 
May 21 - Littleton Community Center, Littleton, NH, 7-9 PM