From Defend Rural America Press Release:
Today at 6:00 pm, a group of concerned people from Fresno, Clovis, and the foothill communities are meeting at the Auberry Park and Ride at the stop sign at the intersection of 168 and Lodge Road.
They are protesting the closure of public access to California forests. Closures will begin at the end of June to protect the endangered yellow-legged frog and the Yosemite toad. The Federal Register posted on April 29, 2014 that the closures are to protect these endangered animals, and to prevent human contact. Anne Widner said that these closures in 17 counties would not only stop people entering the areas for recreation, but also will adversely affect local businesses and homes. Everyone is invited to take part in this peaceful event, which leads up to the symbolic cutting the locks off a Federal gate on Memorial Day, May 26, 2014, also at 6:00 pm.
California Assemblyman Jim Patterson's press release stated, "Ignoring the pleas of 40,000 residents and business owners in the affected areas, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) decision could impact about two million acres of private, state, and federal lands which include much of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains including parts of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa and Tulare counties."
Kirk MacKenzie, of Defend Rural America said. "The county supervisors in the affected counties can, should, and must take ownership of defending our lands and rights. Residents and representatives in the affected counties must follow through with the appeal process, and the counties should create and fund a permanent defense against future egregious abuses of our environmental legislation."
Assemblyman Patterson, Supervisor Case, Supervisor Poochigian, Councilmember Clint Oliver, Sheriff Margaret Mims showed their support during the press conference held on May 2 outside the Federal Courthouse, Fresno.
Kirk MacKenzie, Founder
Defend Rural America
Kirk@DefendRuralAmerica.com
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