Oppose HR 622

Just sent my local Representative the following letter. I encourage you to send a similar message on HR 622 to your elected officials.

Rep. Reichert:

Thank you for your leadership on standing up for national parks, wilderness, public lands, and the environment.  As you know, protection of public lands, providing clean air and water are good for both our environment and the economy. The eighth congressional district is fortunate to have a strong mix of outstanding public lands like Mount Rainier and the Gifford Pinchot national forest.  But it's also home to industry and agriculture found no where else in the planet.

Recently Rep Chaffetz introduce HR 622 which would strip the Forest Service and BLM of law enforcement responsibilities and provide local sheriffs with block grants to enforce environmental laws.  This is a bad idea on many fronts. Not the least of which is local law enforcement is not versed in federal public lands law and regulations. Moreover, local sheriffs are often already stretched thin with regular crime and would likely provide a lower priority to natural resource crimes such as poaching and vandalism.

I encourage you to call upon Rep. Chaffetz to drop his support of HR622. It's not good for public lands, it's not good for the environment, and it's not good for the economy.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Sean Smith
Former Forest Ranger
Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Former Park Ranger
North Cascades National Park