Johnson praised for environmental vote

May 15, 2005

With the nation facing record deficits, a great place for Congress to save money would also help protect something of enormous value - the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska.

Illinois sportsmen can be proud of U.S. Rep. Timothy Johnson, R- Urbana, for acting properly on the subject of the Tongass, respecting taxpayers, sportsmen and the millions of Americans who love our country's wild places.

The Tongass is an area of national pride. Stunningly beautiful, its mountains and forested valleys hold over 5,000 crystal clear streams. Its seemingly endless bays and inlets hold world class wildlife and fisheries resources - including the world's densest concentrations of brown bear and bald eagles, and the spawning grounds for wild salmon.

Unfortunately,the Tongass has been the site of a wasteful and damaging program. The U.S. Forest Service targets the region, heavily subsidizing roading and industrial clearcutting of its wilderness. Fiscal losses to the treasury are huge. We lose some of the greatest wild country and fish and wildlife habitat in the world, and in a double insult, the taxpayers pick up the tab.

Last year, the House addressed the Tongass situation and voted to deny funding for Forest Service industrial roading operations there. Congressman Johnson was helpful and part of the winning team and deserves your thanks. Unfortunately, the Senate dropped the ball and failed to address the issue, sending America 's sportsmen, taxpayers and fans of the great outdoors back to square one. But soon, in this year's appropriations bill, we'll get another chance. It's worth a fight to keep it.

GREG PETRICH
Director, Northern Sportsmen Network
Juneau, AK