Letters: Forest Service changes threaten dog-friendly wilderness

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Forest Service changes threaten wilderness

Re: “3 dog-friendly Bay Area camping spots to scout out this summer” (July 14).

Your recent article highlighting dog-friendly camping doesn’t mention that Trinity Alps and Desolation Wilderness are part of California’s national forest system — my favorite lands to explore with dogs. And dog lovers should be concerned about what’s happening in the agency that cares for them.

This month, the Forest Service proposed management changes that would reduce transparency and public accountability across the agency and weaken directives that guide decisions on logging, recreation, permitting, herbicide use and more. This follows staffing reductions, regional office and research facility closures, and a push to increase logging.

Consider the herbicide spraying controversy near popular hiking trails and alpine lakes close to Desolation Wilderness. If finalized, the changes will make it much easier to prioritize herbicide spraying or logging over recreation, all with little or no public input.

To protect our outdoors, we must push back against efforts to dismantle the Forest Service.

Hilary Stamper
Half Moon Bay

ICE facility should have community OK

Re: “Feds halt new ICE detention site” (Page B1, July 15).

The proposed ICE detention center in Gilroy is alarming.

Given the recent murders being caused by ICE agents, how can our residents in the South Bay and surrounding areas feel safe?

Surely there should have been council meetings before they decided to build it without the informed consent of the residents in the area.

Citlalli Paradela
San Jose

Fossil fuel dominance is hurting us all

Re: “Study ties wildfires to increase in smog” (Page A1, July 10).

Let’s see if I’ve got the president’s plan straight. Start a war with Iran (take your pick for the reason). Gas prices spike, so to address this affordability issue, the EPA proposes to cut regulations on truck tailpipe emissions. Respiratory disease and cancer rates will increase, but 5 million fewer people have health coverage due to cuts to the Affordable Care Act. Refusing to take climate change action results in more wildfires, resulting in more smog. For mechanics who break the Clean Air Act rules, that’s OK; Donald Trump will pardon you.

Trump’s quest for fossil fuel dominance while cutting investment in renewable energy is killing us, the people of Iran and the natural systems around us. The Democratic response has to focus on these big fundamental issues that impact the vast majority of Americans, so we can stop this insanity.

Tom Calderwood
Los Gatos

People who recycle have options to expand efforts

Re: “Keep these items out of recycling bin” (Page B1, July 12).

We are longtime recyclers and, even so, appreciate getting these specific details about what can and cannot be recycled by San Jose’s recycling contractors.

Thank you for publishing the list of top 10 “no-nos” that customers have put into their recycling bins, which contaminate everyone’s recycling efforts and run up costs.

Considering the items listed in the article that people are recycling, it’s clear that customers need more direction. Diapers? Seriously?

Many of the items on the list that are not recyclable by the city’s recycling contractors are accepted by a recycling company called Ridwell. This includes things like plastic wrap, bubble wrap, chip bags, power bar packaging and padded shipping envelopes. With Ridwell, we’re very happy to be recycling so much more.

Holly Love
Los Altos

Celebrating Graham’s death diminishes us

Re: “S. Carolina senator dies after aorta rupture” (Page A1, July 13).

What is this, a race to the bottom? Can we act like grown-ups rather than middle-schoolers? But I guess this is to be expected considering that both sides only value getting even — of course, the poor example of our vengeful president is no help.

The way some people have reacted to the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham is deeply disappointing. Whatever our political differences, celebrating someone’s death only reveals our own insecurities and lack of character.

I disagreed with Graham on many issues. I was deeply troubled by his abandonment of principles when he went from saying Donald Trump was unfit to be president to becoming one of Trump’s most loyal supporters. And yes, the president disrespected and mocked Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Democratic activist Rob Reiner after they died, but we can rise above that by living according to our own values and ethics.

Tom Watts
San Jose