Ms. Ruvle,

I am a native of Tucson and have lived in southern Arizona all my life, and I've seen the destruction of much land that was formerly open space. That makes the future management of National Forest lands all the more vital.

What I see in the current plan seems lacking in several areas, and overall the plan appears to stress conservation less than unfettered recreation. I'd like to state my opposition to this approach in the strongest terms possible.

A few points:

I live in a remote desert area, and witness widespread abuse from ATV riders nearly every day. The plan does nothing to curb the proliferation of this abuse on national forest land. I believe ATVs should be restricted from areas designated as Wild Backcountry at a bare minimum.

I see a nearly unbelievable lack of commitment to identifying and implementing new wilderness areas. This severely reduces the potential for the best possible means of habitat and wildlife conservation. Again, I vote for more wilderness, not less and not the status quo.

I could go on to other specifics, but suffice to say I'd like to cast my vote for genuine habitat and wildlife conservation in the Coronado National Forest, rather than hollow promises. I've enjoyed these lands for almost 50 years; I don't want to see them degraded for the sake of short-term pandering to selfish motorized recreational pursuits.

Thanks, and regards,

Jonathan Hanson





___________________________
Jonathan Hanson
Executive Editor
Overland Journal

www.OverlandJournal.com
jonathan@overlandjournal.com

Phone: 520-591-0509
Fax: 520-208-2303