Like millions of Americans, I enjoyed watching Ken Burns' documentary film about our National Parks on PBS. The efforts of individuals like John Muir, President Teddy Roosevelt and Tennessee's own Harvey Broome have left us their legacy in the form of our wonderful public lands.
It has been 25 years since new wilderness has been designated in Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest. The Forest Service has recommended wilderness expansion in its 2004 management plan. These recommendations can only be enacted if Congress demonstrates leadership and passes legislation using the Wilderness Act.
Wilderness is the highest form of protection for our public lands. It protects forests "in perpetuity" from logging, mining and road building while allowing for traditional activities like hiking, hunting, horseback riding, fishing and camping. Wilderness also protects wildlife habitat, ensures clean water supplies, and sequesters carbon in our warming world.
Please encourage our congressional representatives to act to implement the Forest Service recommendations. Let words of John Muir inspire us to action. "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."
Jeff Hunter
