The article “Amid turmoil, small steps to greener world” in the Dec. 24 Maine Sunday Telegram (Page S1) rightly celebrates Katahdin Woods and Waters as a bright spot for our state and our country, but it is premature to breathe easily about the national monument’s future.

Despite Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s public statements about logging in the monument, he released an official report that recommends amending Katahdin Woods and Waters’ proclamation to “promote a healthy forest through active timber management.”

For Mainers who are concerned about protecting our forests, rivers and wildlife for future generations, this proposal to amend the proclamation is a cause for concern because it does not clarify Zinke’s intentions. What exactly does he mean by “active timber management”? If this language sanctions commercial logging in the monument, then Zinke’s report shouldn’t be described as a highlight of the year.

Amending the proclamation may, in fact, be an attack on the monument’s original purpose of protecting 87,000 acres of forests, rivers and wildlife habitat.

Telegram Staff Writer Mary Pols is wrong to suggest that Secretary Zinke “supports the monument and no logging will be allowed” because we don’t yet know which changes he intends to make in an amended proclamation. We can’t be complacent about defending Katahdin Woods and Waters.

Lois Winter

Portland

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