Protecting areas a moral obligation

I was happy to see the guest commentary, “Obama should restore Roadless Area Conservation Rule” in Sunday’s paper. As a lay Jewish leader and as a local business owner, I support the protections on our last undeveloped and roadless forests.

Over the years there have been over 100 leaders in Washington state from several major national religious organizations who have actively encouraged the support of the Roadless Rule. As leaders of local faith communities we view caring for God’s creation as a critical moral and religious obligation, and as a responsibility shared by all.

We believe we have a sacred obligation to protect the marvelous world God has given us, including its life-giving waters that we rely on for safe drinking water and renewal. The wild forests that embrace a great diversity of species testify to God’s declaration that they are “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

The 58.5 million acres of wild forest protected by the roadless policy is a little less than one-third of our national forest land. Surely we as a nation can have the strength and resolve to once again safeguard these areas that still remain relatively whole. Let us protect the remnants of wild creation while we still can, for the sake of our faith, our children and God’s myriad creatures. Future generations deserve nothing less.

Barak Gale

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