$2.2 Billion at Stake in Arizona’s National Forest
Mining,
logging, and oil/gas drilling in Arizona’s national forests jeopardizes
$2.2 billion per year in Arizona business from transportation, lodging,
equipment, and licenses for activities such as fishing, hunting, and
wildlife watching, according to a new report released today by
Environment Arizona.
The Environment Arizona report on the value
of recreation, water and wildlife, “Worth More Wild: The Value of
Arizona’s Roadless National Forests,” analyzes data from a national
survey done by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.
Key findings of the report include:
•
In 2006, 1.2 million Arizona residents participated in fishing,
hunting, and wildlife watching, and these recreationists spent $2.2
billion in Arizona on transportation, lodging, equipment, licenses, and
other related items. The economic strength of this outdoor recreation
relies on pristine and intact forestland.
• Annually, more than
$200 million worth of freshwater comes from the Southwestern Forest
Service region, which encompasses Arizona.
• Undeveloped national
forests provide critical habitat to Arizona’s native wildlife, and at
least 27 of the state’s endangered species would be even more
threatened without the protection of roadless areas.
“Pristine
forests boost local economies, provide unique outdoor opportunities,
preserve wildlife, and protect watersheds, but a major portion of our
national forestland is defenseless against logging and mining,” said
Erik Magnuson, Program Associate for Environment Arizona.
Dave
Baker owner of the Summit Hut in Tucson added, “I see the economic
benefits of our wilderness everyday. However by business is only a
fraction of the economic value generated from roadless areas. Local
businesses including hotels, restaurants and many others see the ripple
effects of the tourism that our roadless areas attract.”
In
Arizona, national forests face road building and resource extraction
from mining, logging, and oil/gas drilling. Since those who choose to
recreate in national forests tend to look for untouched lands, spoiling
those lands will send recreationists and their money elsewhere.
Since
2000, Arizona residents have submitted 41,118 comments to the Forest
Service, with the vast majority supporting complete protection of these
wild forestlands.
Environment Arizona calls on the members of
Arizona’s Congressional delegation to join fellow Representatives
Pastor and Grijalva in protecting these untouched forests by supporting
the Roadless Area Conservation Act (H.R. 2516). The bill will protect
1.2 million acres of roadless forests in Arizona and 58.5 million acres
of untouched forests nationally.
“We must preserve the
beautiful and pristine parts of our national forests so that they can
be shared and appreciated by everyone,” concluded Magnuson. “Members
of Arizona’s Congressional delegation should protect Arizona’s
untouched forests and recreational dollars for generations to come.”
Read the Report.
