Save the Santa Fe National Forest

It is so heart breaking to see the extreme tree cutting that is occurring in and nearby the Santa Fe National Forest. It simply devastates the forest, and we are seeing that it weakens the remaining trees so they are contracting tree diseases. We need a thorough study of this tree clearing project by the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement. http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/reader-view-help-save-our-forest/article_934def3e-5d13-594e-a4cb-899617365fde.html

While I am not a resident of New Mexico, I have spent time there and enjoyed the beauty and serenity of its forests. I was very distressed to learn of the recent clearing operations that have dangerously thinned large tracts of the forest, leaving an unsightly mess. The overly aggressive thinning has destroyed animal habitats and increased the likelihood of erosion. I stand with those residents and voters of New Mexico who care about their forests by requesting that all thinning operations cease until an EIS is undertaken. Thank you.

The Forest Service mission, according to its website, is to "sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations." This is clearly not the objective that is now what is being pursued in our area.

Please don't act too hastily.....wait until EIS has completed a study.......don't leave any stone unturned...for the greater good of all forest, wildlife and humans. Act with great care ...thank you

Save our forest please

please be sensitive and sensible - NOT invasive and destructive ..

We thought thinning trees on our land adjacent the SFNF would be a good idea. But it is clear to us now that the forest is so stressed from lack of moisture that opening up the canopy has only further overwhelmed the whole system.

Please, I would like to require an EIS before we allow further tree clearing and disrupting or killing of wildlife. The old ways of doing things without question don't work for our environment today. Thank you.

Please Take into account the new studies of the JOHNSON Study Lyra Barron Mentioned as well as the EIS being completed. No more cutting please

Clear, clean air is vital to many aspects of local life, including tourism. I'm sick of the frequent burns spoiling that, especially if the rationale for them is suspect

Please stop cutting down and burning our trees in the Greater Santa Fe Watershed.

The requirement for an EIS is the common sense approach and should be supported by all.

Thank you

Please stop any tree clearing projects in the Santa Fe fireshed until an EIS has been completed. This is a critical time on earth to be clearing more trees. Thank you. Paula Seaton

We need all the trees!

Clearing 95% of the trees is a significant federal action and clearing requires detailed analysis and public disclosure in an EIS.

An EIS is critical toward developing the best path forward, and I respectfully request a halt to all tree thinning projects until an EIS has been completed and the public has an opportunity to weigh in. There are new studies, in particular the Johnson Study that was based on more than 45,000 tree stands, that now recommend 200+ trees be left per acre, a much greater amount than previously thought. Indeed new evidence suggests that removal of so much of the forest canopy makes for hotter and drier conditions on the ground, and allows for winds to more freely move through at higher speeds, making it more dangerous than leaving it alone. Also the removal of that much organic material from the nutrient cycle is devastating to soil biology and can leave the soil far more barren, more prone to erosion, and in fact it may never fully recover. Due diligence PLEASE!

Please use compliance with NEPA to schedule an EIS before going forward with all tree clearing projects in the fireside. I am particularly concerned that a cut based on an outdated assessment (2005!) may go forward without any revisions. Thank you for protecting the forest and for not permitting drastic (90% or greater) tree cutting.

The prescription of cutting 93% is drastic and unwarranted, given the recent Forest Service study (Johnson, 2011) recommending leaving 125 and 250 trees per acre. Do and EIS!!

An EIS is essential as is greater public involvement. These thinning projects are very destructive and create roads in roadless areas, and all for highly questionable benefits.