{"id":4726,"date":"2026-07-17T07:06:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T07:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=4726"},"modified":"2026-07-17T07:06:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T07:06:33","slug":"letters-forest-service-changes-threaten-dog-friendly-wilderness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=4726","title":{"rendered":"Letters: Forest Service changes threaten dog-friendly wilderness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Forest Service changes threaten wilderness<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201c3 dog-friendly Bay Area camping spots to scout out this summer\u201d (July 14).<\/p>\n

Your recent article highlighting dog-friendly camping doesn\u2019t mention that Trinity Alps and Desolation Wilderness are part of California\u2019s national forest system \u2014 my favorite lands to explore with dogs. And dog lovers should be concerned about what\u2019s happening in the agency that cares for them.<\/p>\n

Read more Report: Salinas-based Taylor Farms linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n

This month, the Forest Service proposed management changes\u00a0that 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.<\/p>\n

Consider the herbicide spraying controversy\u00a0near 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.<\/p>\n

To protect our outdoors, we must push back against efforts to dismantle the Forest Service.<\/p>\n

Hilary Stamper<\/strong>
\nHalf Moon Bay<\/em><\/p>\n

ICE facility should have community OK<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201cFeds halt new ICE detention site\u201d (Page B1, July 15).<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

The proposed ICE detention center in Gilroy is alarming.<\/p>\n

Given the recent murders being caused by ICE agents, how can our residents in the South Bay and surrounding areas feel safe?<\/p>\n

Surely there should have been council meetings before they decided to build it without the informed consent of the residents in the area.<\/p>\n

Citlalli Paradela<\/strong>
\nSan Jose<\/em><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Fossil fuel dominance is hurting us all<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201cStudy ties wildfires to increase in smog\u201d (Page A1, July 10).<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see if I\u2019ve got the president\u2019s 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\u00a0have 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\u2019s OK; Donald Trump will pardon you.<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Read more Stone: San Jose\u2019s downtown economy requires full-time workers far more than visiting soccer fans<\/a><\/p>\n

Tom Calderwood<\/strong>
\nLos Gatos<\/em><\/p>\n

People who recycle have options to expand efforts<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201cKeep these items out of recycling bin\u201d (Page B1, July 12).<\/p>\n

We are longtime recyclers and, even so, appreciate getting these specific details about what can and cannot be recycled by San Jose\u2019s recycling contractors.<\/p>\n

Thank you for publishing the list of top 10 \u201cno-nos\u201d that customers have put into their recycling bins, which contaminate everyone\u2019s recycling efforts and run up costs.<\/p>\n

Considering the items listed in the article that people are recycling, it\u2019s clear that customers need more direction. Diapers? Seriously?<\/p>\n

Many of the items on the list that are not recyclable by the city\u2019s 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\u2019re very happy to be recycling so much more.<\/p>\n

Holly Love<\/strong>
\nLos Altos<\/em><\/p>\n

Celebrating Graham\u2019s death diminishes us<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201cS. Carolina senator dies after aorta rupture\u201d (Page A1, July 13).<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 of course, the poor example of our vengeful president is no help.<\/p>\n

The way some people have reacted to the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham is deeply disappointing. Whatever our political differences, celebrating someone\u2019s death only reveals our own insecurities and lack of character.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Read more Letters: A data center moratorium would benefit the environment<\/a><\/p>\n

Tom Watts<\/strong>
\nSan Jose<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Also: Community OK | Fossil fuel | Recycling efforts | Graham’s death. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for July 17, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"yoast_head":"\nLetters: Forest Service changes threaten dog-friendly wilderness - Next City Digest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=4726\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Letters: Forest Service changes threaten dog-friendly wilderness - Next City Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Also: Community OK | Fossil fuel | Recycling efforts | Graham's death. 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