TimesLeader.com

Reader thanks legislators for Public Lands Bill vote

Dear Editor:

I would like to thank Rep. Chris Carney and Senators Robert Casey Jr. and Arlen Specter for voting for the Public Lands Bill on March 25.

This far-reaching bill will protect wilderness areas, rivers, heritage sites and parks on public lands across the United States. Specifically, it will add two million acres of wilderness in nine states to the National Wilderness Preservation System. That’s the largest addition in 15 years!

This includes additions in the Rocky Mountain Wilderness Area, Clark Mt. Hood and other parts of our most pristine areas. While most of the areas are not in Pennsylvania, they are part of our natural heritage and places we all treasure.

This is the first step on the long road to ensuring that we continue to preserve public land for outdoor recreation, protect wildlife habitats and ensure clean drinking water for millions. Environmental initiatives must continue to be a national priority since they affect all of us.

As a Native American proverb states: “Only when the last tree has been cut down, only when the last river has been poisoned, only when the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.”

I applaud Rep. Carney and Senators Casey and Specter for their votes on this bill but I continue to urge them to stand behind environmental legislation that addresses climate change and that protects and preserves the environment for the health and wel-being of current and future generations.

Leanne Mazurick

Upper Demunds Road

Dallas