Comment from Wild Cumberland.org

Wild Cumberland is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring Cumberland Island National Seashore and Wilderness remains protected. We strongly oppose any effort by the Department of the Interior to weaken or eliminate the rules that protect our national parks and public lands and the natural and cultural resources, wildlife, and recreational opportunities that public lands have to offer. Regulatory laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and their respective implementing regulations should be left largely intact or expanded to ensure responsible stewardship of our national parks and public lands and the protection of wildlife and our irreplaceable natural resources. Our parks and public lands belong to all of us, and agency decisions about their future should involve thoughtful consideration of science, consultation, and public input—such decisions should not be rushed for short-term energy gain. Our health and wellbeing rely on the ecosystem services and biodiversity that public lands support, and the harms from threatening or destroying these vital ecosystems will far outweigh the benefits of deregulation. Instead of weakening rules to benefit oil and gas operators and other industries, DOI should work on strengthening its own consultation, review, and public participation processes. To the extent that DOI decides to revise any existing regulation(s), we strongly recommend that any regulatory review adhere to the Department’s core conservation mission and follow widely accepted “do no harm” and scientifically-informed decision making principles. Any proposed modifications or repeals of existing regulations that result from this review should be published in the Federal Register with a minimum 30-day public comment period. Thank you for your consideration.