No to Logging and Road Construction in Great Bear Wilderness & near Glacier N.P.

I am writing to urge you to oppose the Moccasin Granite Project proposed by the Hungry Horse Ranger District on the Flathead National Forest. This controversial logging initiative would affect 67,536 acres along the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Glacier National Park, including roadless lands recommended for addition to the Great Bear Wilderness and core grizzly bear habitat. The project includes construction of 7.6 miles of new "temporary" roads, which will increase grizzly bear mortality. Roads are a major source of death for these endangered animals. Additionally, humans are responsible for 84% of all wildfires, and most wildfires occur within a few hundred feet of roads. Building new roads directly contradicts the stated goal of reducing wildfire threat. The Forest Service's justification for this project is based on flawed science. The dominant tree species in the area have long fire rotations of many decades to hundreds of years between significant blazes. The agency acknowledges that nearly 70% of the project area falls within a stand-replacing fire regime, meaning large fires are infrequent but intense when they occur under extreme climatic conditions. Research by the Forest Service's own scientists has concluded that fuel removal more than 100 feet from structures provides no additional benefit. One review study of 1,500 wildfires found that fire severity was actually higher in areas with active forest management compared to wilderness and roadless areas. Thinning can exacerbate fire spread by opening the canopy, promoting soil and fuel drying, and making it easier for wind to penetrate and carry embers. The Forest Service is using emergency authorities under section 40807 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to avoid public scrutiny. This project will result in loss of secure grizzly bear habitat, increased stream sedimentation, loss of carbon storage, loss of scenic value, and significant taxpayer costs. I urge you to oppose this project and support protecting the Great Bear Wilderness and adjacent roadless areas from logging and new road construction.