Press Release

MAY 27, 2005

LUMPKIN COUNTY COALITION FOR NATIONAL FOREST PROTECTION

The Lumpkin County Coalition for National Forest Protection has handed over to the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce more than 60 petition letters signed by business owners in the county. The letters support use of Federal tax dollars for programs that benefit Lumpkin County, specifically: (1) protection of the watersheds, (2) protection of remaining roadless areas, and (3) forest restoration.

The Coalition transferred the letters to Chamber President Dale Steenburgen and Board Chairman Anita Roush with a recommendation that the Chamber formally let Governor Sonny Perdue know that the Chamber supports his petitioning the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA - Forest Service), for special management procedures to protect certain currently roadless areas in the National Forest. Existing protection was removed by USDA by issuance of a revised rule on May 5.

The economy and quality of life in Lumpkin County stand a chance of being adversely affected by the recent Federal rule change, unless the Governor takes advantage of a provision that allows him to file a petition for special management procedures and protection of roadless areas that were identified in a several-year public process as meriting protection against road building, logging, and mining.

The Coalition is also providing copies of the letters to State Representative Amos Amerson and State Senator Chip Pearson and recommending that they become actively involved in efforts to achieve the proposals by our local business people (stated above). Specifically they are being requested now to encourage the Governor to file the petition with USDA.

Preservation of our quality of life and continued improvement of the economy in Lumpkin County are issues around which residents can rally, regardless of differences on other issues. Opening up certain roadless areas benefit only a few in the lumber business, generally outside contractors brought in and subsidized by Federal tax dollars. Lumpkin County residents and businesses do not benefit we lose.

But we can say "We do not accept this decision to open up our last possible wild areas and expose them to logging and mineral extraction, at our expense." We can write, and can encourage others to write, to: 1. Governor Sonny Perdue (Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta GA 30334) encouraging him to file the petition allowed by USDA for special management procedures for roadless areas; 2. State Senator Chip Pearson (321 B Legislative Office Building, Atlanta GA 30334) and State Representative Amos Amerson (607 LOB, Atlanta GA 30334) requesting their support for this action; and 3. Kathleen Atkinson (Supervisor, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, 1755 Cleveland Hwy., Gainesville GA 30501) requesting her to support maximum protection of the roadless areas.

Thanks to all who have gotten involved in this project, especially the businesses who signed their support in the petition letters. The City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County can be proud that action is being taken locally to effect a desired direction for the continued life quality and economic advantage of residents and businesses.

For more information, please contact Forest Hilyer (forest@lumpkincoalition.org, 706 864 9003) or Murray Lamb (murray@lumpkincoalition.org, 706 973 9067).