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 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 , Evolutionary Director, Center for 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. 2

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 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 & 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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