Members

of Congress January 26, 2018

United States Senate and House of Representatives
United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.

Dear Members of Congress:

As scientists working in diverse natural resource‐related disciplines, we write with
great concern for provisions in the Senate’s fiscal year 2018 spending bill for the Interior
Department that threaten one of our country’s most important conservation laws—the
2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule—and the federal forests in Alaska that it protects.
Section 509 of that bill would outright exempt our two largest national forests, the
Tongass and the Chugach, from the Roadless Rule. Section 508 would overturn the
Tongass management plan that adds protections for large “inventoried” roadless areas and
other ecologically critical lands, and charts a transition away from logging old‐growth
forests. These riders pose grave threats to fish and wildlife populations (and the
residents, visitors, and businesses dependent on them), our national interest in conserving
vanishing wildlands, and the urgent task of limiting climate change.

The Roadless Rule, adoption and retention of which millions of Americans supported,
was a critical step in preserving the invaluable benefits that intact forests provide to our
country. Undisturbed roadless areas reduce flood threats and supply clean sources of
drinking water to millions of Americans.i They maintain the integrity and productivity of
aquatic ecosystems throughout the nation. They are sanctuaries for wildlife, helping to
prevent or alleviate the need to list imperiled species as threatened or endangered. And, as
the realities of global climate change become ever more apparent,
their importance in maintaining large forest carbon reserves is increasingly recognized as
indispensable in mitigating adverse climate effects.ii

Nowhere are the benefits of protecting roadless areas and similar ecologically
important lands greater than on the Tongass. With towering old‐growth trees that can live
700‐1,000 years, it is our country’s largest expanse of native forest and one of the last
remaining intact coastal rainforests in the world.iii Together with the Chugach, it harbors a
quarter of all inventoried roadless areas nationwide.iv Its ancient forests support the
world’s largest breeding concentration of bald eagles, v rare endemic taxa like the
Alexander Archipelago wolf, and one of the highest densities of brown bears on the globe. vi
Retaining the existing roadless areas of the Tongass is a “key element” in sustaining the
region’s extraordinary salmon runsvii (and their commercial, subsistence, and recreational
fisheries). The Tongass also represents North America’s largest carbon sink,viii some of the
richest, most biologically productive forest on Earth, and twenty‐nine percent of the
world’s unlogged coastal temperate rainforest. ix

We urge you to vote against any bill containing these riders, for the sake of
America’s publicly owned natural heritage, the fish, wildlife, biodiversity, and people
dependent on its continued well‐being, and our country’s leadership on native forest
conservation that is vital to containing climate damage. Thank you for considering our
views on this matter of national significance.
1
 
 Respectfully yours,
 
Dr. Paul Ehrlich Dr. Thomas Lovejoy Bing
Professor of Population Studies Emeritus University Professor
President, Center for Conservation Biology George Mason University
Stanford Universityx Senior Fellow, UN Foundation
 
Dr. Stanley Temple Dr. Russell Lande Beers‐Bascom
Professor Emeritus in Conservation Professor of Biology Emeritus
University of Wisconsin‐Madison University of California, San Diego
Senior Fellow, Aldo Leopold Foundation
 
Dr. Gretchen Daily Dr. David Wilcove
Bing Professor in Environmental Science Professor of Ecology, Evolutionary
Director, Center for Conservation Biology Biology, and Public Affairs
Stanford University Princeton University
 

Dr. Norman Christensen Dr. George Woodwell

Professor of Ecology Emeritus and Founding Dean Director Emeritus
Nicholas School of the Environment Woods Hold Research Center
Duke University
 

Dr. Monica G. Turner Dr. Beverly Law

Eugene P. Odum Professor of Ecology Professor, Global Change Biology &
Vilas Research Professor Terrestrial Systems Science
University of Wisconsin Oregon State University
 
Dr. John Robinson Dr. Dennis Murphy
Executive Vice President, Conservation & Science Research Professor
Wildlife Conservation Society University of Nevada, Reno
 

Dr. Simon Levin Dr. Clifford Duke

James McDonnell Distinguished University Professor Director, Science Programs
Director of the Center for BioComplexity Ecological Society of America
Princeton University
 
Dr. Barry Noon Dr. Cara Nelson
Professor, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Associate Professor of Restoration
Colorado State University Ecology
University of Montana
 
 
i DellaSala, D.A., J.R. Karr, and D.M. Olson. 2011. Roadless areas and clean water. Journal of Soil and Water

Conservation 66:78A‐84A.
ii The World Bank. Outcomes from COP21: Forests as Key Climate and Development Solution. 2015. 

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/12/18/outcomes‐from‐cop21‐forests‐as‐a‐key‐climate‐
and‐development‐solution.
iii DellaSala. D.A. 2011. Temperate and boreal rainforests of the world: ecology and conservation. Island Press:

Washington DC.
iv Compare https://www.fs.usda.gov/roadmain/roadless/home and

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/roadless/2001roadlessrule/maps/statemaps/?cid=fsm8_037699.
v Jacobson, M.J., and J.I. Hodges. 1999. Population trend of adult bald eagles in Alaska. Journal of Raptor Research

33:295–298.
vi https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/recreation/natureviewing/?cid=stelprdb5401845
vii Bryant, D.B. and F.H. Everest. 1998. Management and Condition of Watersheds in Southeast Alaska: The

Persistence of Anadromous Salmon. Northwest Science 72(4):249‐267.

viii Leighty, W.W., S.P. Hamburg, and J. Caouette. 2006. Effects of management on carbon sequestration in forest

biomass in southeast Alaska. Ecosphere 9:1051‐1065.

ix Kramer, M., A.J. Hansen, M.L. Taper, and E.J. Kissinger. 2001. Abiotic Controls on Long‐Term Windthrow

Disturbance and Temperate Rain Forest Dynamics in Southeast Alaska. Ecology 82(10):2749‐2768.
x All signatories’ institutional information is provided for identification purposes only.

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 Dr. Peter Alpert Dr. Shannon Barber‐Meyer
Professor Wildlife Biologist
University of Massachusetts, Amherst Ely, Minnesota
   
Dr. William Anderson Dr. Paul Bartelt
Professor Emeritus Professor & Research Ecologist
Grice Marine Biological Laboratory Waldorf College
   
Dr. Steven Anderson Dr. Craig Benkman
Professor Emeritus, Biology Professor of Zoology and Physiology
University of the Pacific University of Wyoming
California Academy of Sciences  
  Dr. David Benzing
Warren Aney Retired
Senior Wildlife Ecologist Oberlin College
Oregon Chapter The Wildlife Society  
  Dr. David J. Berg
Dr. W. Scott Armbruster Professor of Biology
Senior Research Scientist Miami University
Institute of Arctic Biology  
University of Alaska, Fairbanks Dr. Elizabeth Bergey
  Professor
Cody Aylward University of Oklahoma
Graduate Student, Rubenstein School of  
Environment and Natural Resources Scott Black
University of Vermont Executive Director
  Xerces Society for Invertebrate
Dr. Cal Bailey Conservation
Associate Professor, Biology  
New Mexico State University Dr. James Blauth
  Professor of Biology
Dr. Richard Baker University of Redlands
Professor Emeritus, Earth and  
Environmental Science Dr. Brian Bodenbender
University of Iowa Professor of Geology and Environmental
  Science
Dr. William Baker Hope College
Emeritus Professor  
University of Wyoming Dr. Leo Bodensteiner
  Professor of Environmental Science
Dr. Bruce Baldwin Western Washington University
Professor of Integrative Biology  
University of California, Berkeley Dr. Jim Boone
  Senior Scientist
Dr. Jesse Barber Desert Wildlife Consultants, LLC
Associate Professor
Boise State University
  3
 Dr. Bobb Carson Dr. Natalie Dawson
Professor‐ and Dean‐Emeritus Director, Wilderness Institute
Lehigh University Assistant Professor
  Dept. of Ecosystem and Conserv’n Sciences
Dr. Kai Chan University of Montana
Professor  
University of British Columbia Dr. Dominick DellaSala
  President and Chief Scientist
Dr. Donald Charles Geos Institute
Senior Scientist
Drexel University Dr. Alan Dickman
Academy of Natural Sciences Professor Emeritus of Env’t’l Studies
  University of Oregon
Dr. John Cigliano  
Professor of Biology & Director Dr. Jim Dole
of Environmental Conservation Professor Emeritus of Biology
Cedar Crest College California State University, Northridge
   
Dr. Raymond Clarke Dana Dolsen
Professor Emeritus Founder & Owner
Sarah Lawrence College Natural Resources Planning & Research
  Institute for Socio‐ecological Management
Dr. Phyllis Coley  
Distinguished Professor of Biology Craig Downer
University of Utah Wildlife Ecologist
  Andean Tapir Fund
Dr. Joseph Cook  
Professor and Curator of Mammals Dr. Bryan Drew
Museum of Southwestern Biology Biologist
University of New Mexico Kearney, Nebraska
   
Dr. Frank Craighead Dr. Ginny Eckert
Executive Director Professor of Fisheries
Craighead Env’t’l Research Institute University of Alaska, Fairbanks
   
Dr. Brittany Davis Dr. Mary Edwards
Assistant Professor of Env’t’l Science Professor
Allegheny College University of Alaska, Fairbanks
   
Dr. Sam Davis Mark Egger
Research Manager Botanist and Science Educator, retired
Dogwood Alliance University of Washington Herbarium
 
Steve Erickson
Restoration Ecologist
Frosty Hollow Ecological Restoration
  4
    
Dr. Suzanne Estes Dr. Lee Frelich
Associate Professor of Biology Director of the Center for Forest Ecology
Portland State University University of Minnesota

Dr. Jonathan Evans Evan Frost
Professor of Biology Conservation Biologist
University of the South Wildwood Consulting
   
Dr. Douglas Eveleigh Robert Fuerstenberg
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Senior Ecologist, retired
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Vashon, Washington
   
Daniel Feller Dr. Stephen W. Fuller
Western Region Ecologist Professor Emeritus
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources University of Mary Washington
   
Dr. Shane Feyers Dr. Christine Perala Gardiner
School of Natural Resources and Env’t Watershed Scientist
University of Florida Deer Creek Association
  Siskiyou Field Institute
Dr. Bruce Finney  
Professor Dr. Daniel Gavin
Idaho State University Associate Professor
  University of Oregon
Dr. David Firmage  
Clara C. Piper Professor of Env’t’l Studies John Gerwin
Colby College Research Curator, Ornithology
  N. Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Dr. Doug Fischer  
Research Scholar Dr. Allen Gibbs
Ronin Institute Professor, School of Life Sciences
  University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Dr. Johannes Foufopoulos  
Associate Professor Dr. Scott Goetz
School for Environment and Sustainability Professor
University of Michigan Northern Arizona University
   
Dr. Janet Franklin Rachel Golden Kroner
Distinguished Professor, Department of Ph.D Candidate
Botany and Plant Sciences George Mason University
University of California, Riverside  
  Dr. Enrique Gomezdelcampo
Dr. Douglas Frederick Associate Professor
Professor of Forestry Bowling Green State University
Dept. of Forestry and Env’t’l Resources  
North Carolina State University
  5
Dr. Jacqualine Grant Dr. Bruce Herbold
Associate Professor Retired
Southern Utah University U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Dr. Steven Green Dr. Karen Holl
Professor Emeritus Professor of Environmental Studies
University of Miami University of California, Santa Cruz
   
Dr. Gregory Grether Dr. Andres Holz
Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Assistant Professor of Biogeography and
University of California, Los Angeles Forest Dynamics, Dept. of Geography
  Portland State University
Dr. David Griffith  
Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Rodney L. Honeycutt
Ferris State University University Professor
  Divisional Dean of Natural Science
Dr. Jon Grinnell Pepperdine University
Francis Uhler Chair in Biology  
Gustavus Adolphus College Dr. Thomas Ihde
  Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Ed Grumbine Morgan State University
Land and Conservation Director  
Grand Canyon Trust Dr. Jay Jones
  Professor of Biology and Biochemistry
Dr. Andrew Gunther University of La Verne
Environmental Scientist  
Center for Ecosystem Management & Dr. Cynthia Jones
Restoration Professor
  University of Connecticut
Dr. Vincent Gutschick  
Professor of Biology, Emeritus Dr. Alan Journet
New Mexico State University Professor Emeritus
  Jacksonville, Oregon
Dr. Chad Hanson  
Ecologist Dr. Walter Judd
Earth Island Institute Distinguished Professor Emeritus
  Department of Biology
Dr. Cheryl Harding University of Florida
Professor Emeritus  
Hunter College Dr. Jacob Kann
  Aquatic Ecologist
Dr. Alan Heath Aquatic Ecosystem Sciences LLC
Emeritus Professor  
Virginia Tech Dr. Sterling Keeley
  Professor of Botany
University of Hawaii, Manoa
 
  6
Dr. Ruth Ann Kern Dr. Harvey Lillywhite
Associate Professor Professor of Biology
California State University, Fresno University of Florida
 
Dr. Ke Chung Kim Dr. Brian Linkhart
Professor Emeritus Professor of Biology
Pennsylvania State University Colorado College
   
Matthew Kirchhoff Frank Logiudice
Wildlife Biologist, Retired Instructor
Alaska Department of Fish and Game University of Central Florida
   
Dr. Jason Koontz Dr. Loys Maingon
Associate Professor of Biology, Co‐Chair Researcher
Augustana College Strathcona Wilderness Institute
   
Dr. Marni Koopman Dr. Carl McDaniel
Climate Change Scientist Professor of Biology Emeritus
Geos Institute Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  Visiting Professor
Grace Kostel Oberlin College
Botanist  
Spearfish, South Dakota Dr. John McLaughlin
  Associate Professor
Dr. Dana Krempels Western Washington University
Senior Lecturer  
University of Miami Biology Department Dr. Robert Meese
  Staff Research Associate, retired
Alex Krevitz University of California, Davis
Biologist, Mammalogy  
Independent Researcher Dr. John Morse
  Professor Emeritus of Entomology
Dr. Derek Lee Clemson University
Principal Scientist  
Wild Nature Institute Dr. Peter Moyle
  Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Dr. Gene Likens University of California, Davis
Founding President  
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Rob Mrowka
  Senior Scientist
Dr. Jason A. Lillegraven Center for Biological Diversity
Professor Emeritus  
Department of Geology and Geophysics Dr. John Mull
University of Wyoming Professor of Zoology
Weber State University

  7
 Dr. Richard Munson Dr. Dennis C. Odion
Faculty, Emeritus Earth Research Institute
Miami University University of California, Santa Barbara
   
Dr. Peter Murphy Dr. Gordon Orians
Professor Emeritus Professor Emeritus of Biology
Michigan State University University of Washington
   
Dr. James Murray Dr. Sarah Otto
Professor of Biology Emeritus Professor
University of Virginia University of British Columbia
   
Dr. K. Greg Murray Christopher Papouchis
T. Elliot Weier Professor of Plant Science Lecturer
Hope College Environmental Studies Department
  California State University, Sacramento
Dr. Philip Myers  
Professor Emeritus Dr. Michael Parker
University of Michigan Professor of Biology
  Southern Oregon University
Charles R. Neal  
Ecologist, retired Dr. Gustav Paulay
U.S. Department of Interior Professor
  University of Florida
Dr. Andrew Nelson  
Emeritus Professor of Biology Dr. Jack Paxton
State University of New York, Oswego Professor Emeritus
  University of Illinois
Dr. Martin Nie  
Director, Bolle Center for People and Forests Dr. David Perry
Professor, Natural Resource Policy Professor Emeritus
University of Montana Oregon State University
   
Dr. Gretchen North Dr. Anna Pidgeon
Professor of Biology Associate Professor
Occidental College University of Wisconsin, Madison
   
Dr. Reed F. Noss Dr. Roger A. Powell
Chief Scientist Professor, Department of Applied Ecology
Florida Institute for Conservation Science North Carolina State University
   
Dr. Richard Nyhof Dr. Jessica Pratt
Professor of Biology Assistant Professor of Teaching
Calvin College University of California, Irvine

  8
 Dr. Robert Pyle Dr. Donald Ross
Biologist Research Professor
Grays River, Washington University of Vermont
 
Dr. James Quinn Dr. Amy Rossman
Professor Emeritus Research Leader, retired
Rutgers University United States Department of Agriculture
   
Dr. John Ratti Dr. John Rotenberry
Professor and Research Scientist, retired Professor of Biology Emeritus
University of Idaho University of California, Riverside
   
Dr. Peter Raven Dr. Eric Routman
President Emeritus Professor of Biology
Missouri Botanical Garden San Francisco State University
   
Dr. Barbara Reynolds Dr. Barbara A. Roy
Professor of Environmental Studies Professor
University of North Carolina, Asheville University of Oregon
   
Dr. Fred M. Rhoades Matthew Rubino
Mycologist, retired & Research Associate Research Associate
Western Washington University Department of Applied Ecology
  North Carolina State University
Dr. George Robinson  
Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Robin Salter
State University of New York, Albany Professor Emeritus
  Oberlin College
Dr. Garry Rogers  
President Dr. Scott Samuels
Agua Fria Open Space Alliance, Inc. Professor
  University of Montana
Dr. Steven Rogstad  
Professor Emeritus Dr. Melissa Savage
University of Cincinnati Associate Professor Emerita
  University of California, Los Angeles
Dr. Thomas Rooney  
Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Paul Schaeffer
Wright State University Associate Professor
  Miami University
Dr. Dan Rosenberg  
Co‐Executive Director Charles Schelz
Oregon Wildlife Institute Ecologist
Associate Professor Ecos Consulting
Oregon State University

  9
 Dr. Paula Schiffman Dr. Rosemary Sherriff
Professor of Biology Professor and Chair, Department of
California State Univ., Northridge Geography
  Humboldt State University
Dr. Joe Schiller  
Professor Dr. Rodney Siegel
Austin Peay State University Executive Director
  The Institute for Bird Populations
Dr. David Schindler  
Killam Memorial Professor of Ecology Dr. Ellen Siem
Emeritus Physics and Undergraduate Studies
University of Alberta Southern Oregon University
   
Dr. William H. Schlesinger Dr. Stephen Sillett
Professor Emeritus Professor and Kenneth L. Fisher Chair of
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Redwood Forest Ecology
  Humboldt State University
Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow  
Professor Dr. Thomas D. Sisk
University of Alberta Olajos‐Goslow Chair of Env’t’l Science & Policy
  Director, Landscape Conservation Initiative
Dr. John Schoen Northern Arizona University
Wildlife Ecologist, retired  
Anchorage, Alaska Dr. Winston P. Smith
  Principal Research Scientist
Dr. Tania Schoennagel Institute of Arctic Biology
Research Scientist University of Alaska, Fairbanks
University of Colorado  
  Jack Sobel
Dr. Courtney Schultz Marine Science, Conservation, & Policy
Associate Professor of Forest Policy Consultant
Colorado State University ETI Professionals, Inc.
   
Kathy Schwager John Sovell
Ecologist Conservation Biologist
Yaphank, New York Colorado State University
   
Dr. Mark Shapley Dr. Timothy Spira
Research Paleolimnologist Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences
University of Minnesota Clemson University
   
Dr. Steve Sheffield Dr. Trygve Steen
Professor of Biology Professor
Bowie State University Environmental Science and Management
Portland State University

  10
 Dr. Alan Stemler Dr. Greg Walker
Professor Emeritus Emeritus Professor
University of California, Davis University of California, Riverside
   
Dr. Richard Strathmann Dr. Donald Waller
Professor Emeritus Professor
University of Washington University of Wisconsin
   
Dr. Stephen Stringham Dr. Glenn Walsberg
President Professor Emeritus
WildWatch LLC Arizona State University
   
Dr. Christina Swanson Dr. Judith Weis
Senior Director, Science Center Professor Emerita
Natural Resources Defense Council Rutgers University
   
Dr. Michael Swift Dr. Allison Welch
Asistant Professor Emeritus, of Biology Director, Environmental and Sustainability
St. Olaf College Studies
  College of Charleston
Dr. Tamara Ticktin  
Professor of Botany Dr. Jeffery Werner
University of Hawai'I, Manoa Science Lead
  Conservation North
Dr. Pepper Trail  
Ornithologist Dr. David Whitacre
Ashland, Oregon Instructor, Biology and Statistics
  Treasure Valley Math and Science Center
Dr. Vicki Tripoli  
Environmental Scientist, retired Dr. Sue Wick
Ashland, Oregon Professor
  University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Dr. Anna Tyler  
Research Scientist Dr. Jack Williams
The Jackson Laboratory Emeritus Senior Scientist
  Trout Unlimited
Dr. James Valentine  
Professor of Integrative Biology, Emeritus Dr. Susan Willson
University of California, Berkeley Associate Professor of Biology
  St. Lawrence University
Dr. Thomas Veblen  
Distinguished Professor Dr. Neville Winchester
University of Colorado Instructor
  University of Victoria
Dr. Sara Via
Professor of Biology and Climate Change
University of Maryland
  11
 Dr. Susan Witherup
Professor
Ithaca College
 
Dr. Bruce Wright
Senior Scientist
Conservation Science Institute
 
George Wuerthner
ED Public Media
Foundation for Deep Ecology
 
Dr. Charlotte Zampini
Professor, retired
Framingham State University
 
Dr. Charlie Zender
Professor of Earth System Science
University of California, Irvine

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