[Washington, DC] The United State is losing 6,000 acres of open space each day, according to a new report by the U.S. Forest Service. The report, released last week, details the growing threats to the nation ‘ s public lands, as counties with national forests and grasslands are experiencing some of the highest growth rates in the nation. For forest land alone, the United States lost 10 million acres to development from 1982 to 1997, with 26 million additional acres project to be developed by 2030. The fastest growing areas include the South, Northeast, Rocky Mountain West, Upper Great Lakes , and Ozarks. The report warns the trends are worrying in part because it is reducing the ability to manage public lands to maintain healthy forests and public recreation dwindles. In addition, it notes that undeveloped forests provide critical ecosystem services, including wildlife habitat, clean drinking water, natural-resources- based jobs, and a sustainable output of forest products.

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org