From our Partners at WV Rivers Coalition 

Time is running out to make your voice heard! 

Your comments on the Forest Service Environmental Impact Statement are due by noon this Friday, Sept. 20. We want to ensure that there are meaningful definitions of “old” growth for the Mon Forest and that forest management and water protection management enhance our old trees’ carbon storage and ecological benefits. Sign this petition today!

Why This Matters:

• Old-growth forests are critical habitats for endangered species
• They protect our watersheds and store significant amounts of carbon
• Executive Order 14072 mandates prioritizing protections for our oldest trees

The U.S. Forest Service has taken a significant step in forest management by releasing a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to amend all Forest plans. In this draft, they’re putting forward their recommendation for Alternative 2. While this option does offer some level of protection for our older and old-growth forests, it’s important to note that it doesn’t wholly prohibit commercial timbering in these crucial areas. 

We support Alternative 2 with these crucial modifications:

• No commercial timbering tied to old-growth management
• Identify and protect old-growth trees at scales smaller than a “stand.”
• Require “ground-truthing” of locally-reported old-growth areas
• Establish clear guidelines for safeguarding waterways near old-growth forests

You can help protect our old-growth forests by signing WV Rivers’ petition supporting modifications to Alternative 2. Please submit your comment by noon on Friday, Sept. 20, and share this message with others who care about forests!! 

Together, we can protect our irreplaceable old-growth forests for generations to come.

Act now – our forests are counting on you! Sign the Petition Here

We appreciate your support!