Comment from Margret Cifaldi
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter opposes the wilderness policy review, arguing that it is a first step toward weakening wilderness protections to favor extractive industries and commercial development. They emphasize the importance of wilderness lands for conservation, recreation, and cultural connections.
On June 10, the Department of the Interior opened a 60-day public comment period covering wilderness policies and guidance documents across the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This "review" is the first step to weaken foundational protections of the country’s wilderness, paving the way for short-term extractive industries, commercial development, and dramatically expanded motorized vehicle use at the expense of long-term conservation management.
Last year, the administration issued a similar review of every national monument in the country, which ultimately led to last week’s massive reduction of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Now, the administration is running the same process for wilderness protections. We can’t let that happen.
Wilderness lands protect and sustain clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, and Indigenous cultural connections. These iconic wild places provide the best opportunities for backcountry recreation like camping, hiking, hunting and fishing, and backpacking and are where we and our families can enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.