Comment on FR Doc # 2012-13305

Dear Sir/Madam; I am writing in support of protecting the mature and old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest which provide numerous economic benefits and are essential to stabilize and recover threatened species such as the Northern Spotted Owl, the Marbled Murrelet and Pacific salmon stocks. These magnificent forests provide clean drinking water for millions of Americans, a world-class tourism destination, sustainable forestry, and habitat essential to the survival of hundreds of other species of wildlife. Conservation of the old-growth ecosystem as symbolized by the Northwest Forest Plan was a significant environmental advance that ended decades of unsustainable management practices in the region. Studies show that the Northwest Forest Plan is working as intended to retain mature and old forests, and that the highly fragmented forest ecosystem is growing back into the large blocks of mature forest habitat needed to maintain water quality and recover threatened species such as the Northern Spotted Owl. The draft Critical Habitat proposal for the Northern Spotted Owl and accompanying Presidential Memorandum raise concern because of the proposed logging in owl critical habitat that is not supported by science. Three major scientific societies are advising the administration to conduct more research before more owl habitat is lost. We agree with the scientists’ call for caution. The draft includes language allowing for the weakening or eliminating habitat protections of the Northwest Forest Plan. We respectfully urge the Fish and Wildlife Service to modify the proposed Critical Habitat rule to ensure that the protected reserves of the Northwest Forest Plan are maintained. Maintaining these protected areas is essential so that future generations of Americans will have an opportunity to enjoy the splendor of the old-growth forest ecosystem. Logging areas now protected by the Northwest Forest Plan, including mature forests that the Plan had intended to be