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Remediation of Abandoned Mine Lands |
It is therefore critically important to stabilize, or preferably increase, the world’s forest land base. In actuality, the opposite is occurring. The world has a net loss of about 45 million acres of forest per year. In the
Our carbon strategy must seek to maintain healthy forest ecosystems. To the extent that climate change results in a hotter and drier climate, this will stress forests, making them additionally vulnerable to drought, insect, disease and wildfires. Similarly, maintaining healthy forests to minimize increases in freshwater fish mortality, especially salmon that require cool streams, is essential. Reducing the potential effects of catastrophic wildfire is another essential policy consideration for any carbon strategy. In 2006, wildfires in the
Forests are unique in that no other means of sequestering or offsetting carbon has the added benefits of providing clean water, biodiversity, clean air, wildlife habitat, and settings for recreation. It is essential that we include forests in any strategy to address global climate change.
Lyle Laverty, U.S. Dept. of Interior Lyle currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In this capacity, he has direct responsibility for programs associated with the development, conservation and utilization of fish, wildlife, recreation, historical, and national park resources. Lyle received a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from Humboldt State University, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University. He is a graduate of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Leadership Program. In 2003, Lyle was presented The William Penn Mott, Jr. Award for Excellence by the National Society for Park Resources.