Forest Service Accepting Public Comments on Mt. Hood Land Trade until March 17th
The Forest Service is finally taking the steps required to move forward with the Mt. Hood Land Trade, and this is your chance to let them know that you support protections for the North Side of Mt. Hood! Public comments are due by March 17, 2016.
Every voice matters. We encourage individuals to send in comments showing your support for completing the land trade and providing essential protections for the Wilderness, old growth forests and the Crystal Springs Watershed on the North side of Mt. Hood. Below are some key points that you may want to consider including in your comments:
1. Express strong support for protecting the North Side of Mt. Hood. Say why it personally matters to you.
2. Object to old growth logging and roadbuilding in the Crystal Spring Watershed and adjacent lands which are to be permanently protected by the land trade.
3. Ask for a process that will allow for the continued operation of the Cooper Spur Ski Area and the Inn at Cooper Spur through two new separate leases that will be open to a public bidding process.
For an example of comments, check out Cooper Spur Wild & Free’s 2009 comments in support of the protection of the North Side of Mt. Hood.
Written comments may be mailed to:
Michelle Lombardo, Forest Environmental Coordinator
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055
Fax (503)668-1423
You may also hand-deliver your comments to the above address during business hours (7:30-11:30am and 12:30-4:30pm Mon – Fri, excluding federal holidays).
Electronic comments may be submitted to: comments-pacificnorthwest-mthood@fs.fed.us in an email, or attached files in plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf) or Word (.doc).
More information can be found here.