Big thanks to the groups that have already joined the S. 785 opposition letter. Here is a list of current signers:
Alaska Wilderness League * Blue Goose Alliance *
Center for Biological Diversity * Defenders of Wildlife *
Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families * Earthjustice *
Endangered Habitats League * Endangered Species Coalition * Hip Hop Caucus * National Audubon Society * National Wildlife Refuge Association *Natural Resources Defense Council * National Parks Conservation Association *
New York Whale and Dolphin Action League * Save Wolves Now Network * Sierra Club * Sitka Conservation Society * The Wilderness Society
To sign-on to the opposition letter, please go to this link:
https://goo.gl/forms/HSaFOeYeyEyE2gln2
Best,
Leah
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ALASKA AND AFFILIATE ALASKA |
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122 C St NW, Ste 240 |
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Please consider the environment before printing this email.
From: Leah Donahey
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2018 10:43 AM
To: 'arctic-refuge-lobbyists@groups.b-team.org' <arctic-refuge-lobbyists@groups.b-team.org>; 'arctic_refuge@groups.b-team.org' <arctic_refuge@groups.b-team.org>; Western Arctic (NPR-A) Campaign List <npra@groups.b-team.org>; tongass_coalition@googlegroups.com;
'public-lands@groups.b-team.org' <public-lands@groups.b-team.org>
Subject: Oppose S. 785 Letter-- Alaska public lands give-away (in possible omnibus lands package) -- Sign-on by 10am EST TOMORROW
One of the bills possibly being considered in omnibus lands package, in our view, represents a major threat to Alaska public lands. Under the guise of promoting Alaska Native veteran’s rights, the so called
Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act (S. 785) has numerous reasons for concern.
An earlier full opposition letter was sent in late October. As negotiations move forward, we want to send up a letter that show our collective opposition to this bill and its inclusion in a public lands package. We will send up this letter tomorrow morning.
Sign-on deadline is 10am eastern Friday (tomorrow). Here is a link to sign-on and review the letter:
https://goo.gl/forms/HSaFOeYeyEyE2gln2
The main concern is that this legislation would place up to 500,000 acres of currently public lands – including National Wildlife Refuges – into private hands, by creating thousands of inholdings across Alaska. While historically allotment
programs have focused on personal use, this legislation includes no safeguards that prevent recipients from subdividing, selling, or developing their property in any way they wish. Unlike past allotment programs, this bill also ties the hands of land managers
and forces them to approve allotment selections, on an expedited timeframe. Half a million acres now open to hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation could be privatized or otherwise closed off to hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation if this bill gets through.
We hope you join us in opposing this legislation.
Thanks,
Leah
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ALASKA AND AFFILIATE ALASKA |
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122 C St NW, Ste 240 |
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Please consider the environment before printing this email.