NEWS RELEASE
February 11, 2015
Carole King Joins Rep. Maloney in Support of the
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act
Washington, D.C. — Music legend Carole King joined Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) today to announce the introduction of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA). NREPA would permanently protect some of America’s most beautiful and ecologically important landscapes, while simultaneously saving taxpayers money.
The northern Rockies is the only place in the lower 48 states where native plant and wildlife species exist on lands virtually unchanged since the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Grizzly bears, caribou, elk, bison, gray wolves, bull trout and salmon still exist in this region. NREPA designates approximately 23-million acres in the Northern Rockies as Wilderness, including the wild backcountry of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. NREPA does not affect private land. This is public land belonging to all Americans.
“The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act will protect a large carbon sink, help mitigate climate change, and save money. Many Americans don’t know that our taxpayer dollars are being used to destroy wild, beautiful places that are owned not just by local communities but by ALL Americans. NREPA will end the destruction of our public lands in this region of our country. One result of not having NREPA has been a tremendous loss of population among species such as caribou, grizzly bear, and bull trout. A protected Northern Rockies ecosystem will attract tourists from around the world, and unlike logging, tourism is a sustainable economy that will benefit local communities for generations to come,” stated Carole King.
“The wild Clearwater country is an integral part of the Wild Rockies bioregion,” said Gary Macfarlane of Friends of the Clearwater. “Studies show that the Clearwater and upper St. Joe Basins are the best habitat in the entire Rockies for large carnivores. This region is literally the centerpiece of the last remaining intact wildland complex in the lower 48 states.”
“The places that would be protected by this legislation provide outstanding wildland experiences for those seeking solace in an industrialized world,” said Brett Haverstick of Friends of the Clearwater. “Roadless landscapes like Weitas Creek, Pot Mountain, and Fish and Hungery Creeks are prime places for recovery of rare species, as well as places for people to reconnect with our natural world.”
The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act:
- Designates as wilderness about 23-million acres of ecosystems and watersheds in the northern Rockies;
- Connects natural, biological corridors, ensuring the continued existence of native plants and animals and mitigating the effects of global warming;
- Restores habitat that has been severely damaged from roads previously built, creating good-paying jobs and leading to a more sustainable economic base in the region;
- Keeps water available for downstream use until it is most needed; and
- Eliminates subsidized development in the areas to be designated as wilderness, saving taxpayer dollars.
Click here to read more about NREPA on our website. You can also visit Alliance for the Wild Rockies.