Bush's War on Parks & Forests

Bush Waging a War On Our Parks, Forests

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0817-03.htm

A WAR IS RAGING. It involves lands essential to our nation, and will dramatically affect future generations. No, I am not speaking of Iraq or Afghanistan. This war is right here: the Bush administration's radical, all-out attack on America's wilderness and public lands.
What is at stake? These are the lands whose scenery inspired the song "America the Beautiful." But they are much more than that.

Our national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands total 623 million acres -- 14 times the size of all six New England states, or almost six times the size of California. They constitute a natural engine that cleans our drinking water, purifies the air, produces medicines, provides resources, and enhances our quality of life in countless other ways. Most important, these lands connect Americans directly with the miracle of God's creation.

These natural treasures are also an important part of our heritage. The idea of a national park was born in America: Yellowstone became the world's first in 1872. However we define homeland security, our wilderness and public lands must be at the core of what we seek to defend.

Not for President Bush and his team, however.... more...