Letter to Representative Amos Amerson

May 27, 2005

Representative Amos Amerson
607 Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334

Dear Representative Amerson:

On May 5 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a revised rule that gives Governor Perdue the opportunity to take an action that would be beneficial to businesses in and residents of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County. The revised rule withdraws the protection afforded certain currently roadless natural areas in the Chattahoochee National Forest but provides that the Governor may petition the USDA (of which the U.S. Forest Service is a part) for special management procedures and protection for these areas.

Sixty three businesses in Dahlonega-Lumpkin County have signed a letter encouraging the Chamber of Commerce to take action for more permanent protection of these areas. These self-explanatory letters are provided to you on behalf of these businesses.

We recommend that you formally let Governor Perdue know that businesses in this area have spoken and that, as our State Representative, you support his petitioning for special management procedures for these areas. With so many issues on his plate, your voice will undoubtedly be important in getting his attention to a matter that is important to the economy of our area and to the continued high quality of living.

Enclosed is a copy of the proposed draft letter from the Chamber of Commerce to Governor Perdue. It gives details of specific action recommended. Please feel free to use any part of that letter in any appeal you make to the Governor.

The natural areas in question make up only about 7% of the National Forest in north Georgia. A several year long process identified 63,000 of the 749,000 acres in the Chattachoochee National Forest that currently have no roads and have special features that merit protection from mining and logging (benefit a few big companies but not our businesses and citizens). Those areas were given special protection in 2001, but with the USDA issuance on May 5 will no longer have the protection unless Governor Perdue exercises the option to petition for special management procedures.

Emily Lewy has attended several Coalition meetings and is very familiar with this issue. I would be happy to provide any additional information either of you need.

Sincerely,

Forest Hilyer, Facilitator (replaced Kate Smolski, referred to in some petition letters)

Lumpkin County Coalition to Protect the National Forest (706 864 9003, forest@lumpkincoalition.org, 3865 Dawsonville Hwy., Dahlonega, GA 30533)

Enclosed: Petition letters (63) signed by businesses in Lumpkin County

Copy of draft letter from Chamber of Commerce to Governor

Press release on Lumpkin County Coalition to Protect the National Forest

Prototype letter sent by USDA on May 5 to governors of affected states