Ralph Nader once said “This country has far more problems than it deserves and far more solutions than it applies.”  As a nation we are certainly facing down our share of problems.  When it comes to the economy, international relations, and health care, the solutions are numerous and often complicated.  In the case of protecting our roadless wildlands we have at hand a single, simple, and enormously popular solution to an increasingly real threat.

Last week, a letter from Secretary Vilsack confirmed that he understands the value of roadless areas and the problems facing them.  In recent weeks, Oregon Wild members and folks from across the country have made sure he understands the solution.

On January 12th, after 8 years of defending the Rule against attacks by the Bush administration and its development allies, and just eight days before the Obama administration took office, I was pleased to blog about the gifts of support that the Rule had received.  Governor Kulongoski again stood up for the wishes of Oregonians and penned a letter to then Secretary-Designate Tom Vilsack urging the full reinstatement of the Roadless Rule.  The Governor has been a strong supporter of Roadless protections. 

Likewise, Oregon has always been a leader on roadless conservation.  The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule was the result of the most extensive public involvement in the history of federal rulemaking. 

During that process, on a per-capita basis, Oregonians submitted more public comments than any other state.  Over 90% of those comments supported the strongest protections possible – and rightfully so - 80% of Oregonians get their water from sources that originate in roadless wildlands.  Additionally, Oregon’s nearly 2 million acres of roadless areas provide critical habitat for some our most threatened plants, fish, and wildlife, and support unique recreational opportunities, and the communities and economies that depend on them.

Because of the support of leaders like Governor Kulongoski, and most of our Congressional delegation, after 8 years of defending roadless wildlands, they have been left mostly intact.  However, what we see as the light at the end of the tunnel, others see as the closing of the window of opportunity to destroy our pristine wildlands.  Projects are popping up around the country that would clearly violate the rule. 

Even here in Oregon, a single pair of projects (The Red Zone D-Bug projects) would mean the construction of more than 5 times as many roads and logging in nearly twice the acreage of inventoried roadless areas as during the entire Bush administration across the entire country!  The supporting documents for the D-Bug Project near Crater Lake National Park openly cite uncertainty in the Rule as a justification for violating it!

With all of the problems facing our nation, and the difficult task of building a team under fire, it is understandable that the new administration has thus far focused on other priorities.  However, our roadless wildlands are at risk and we can’t afford to wait any longer. 

With support from leaders like Governor Kulongoski, businesses, hunters & anglers, and citizens across the country, there is no reason that Tom Vilsack and the Obama administration,should have a worse record on roadless than the Bush administration.

As Governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack publicly supported roadless protection.  Likewise, as a Senator, President Barack Obama co-sponsored legislation to codify the Roadless Rule.  During his campaign, he pledged to uphold federal roadless protections.  Therefore we were pleased, though not surprised, when we read the Secretary’s letter. 

Secretary Vilsack demonstrated a clear understanding of the value of roadless areas.  Unfortunately, the threats are also clear.  With that recognition, and the power to step in, comes a responsibility to do so.  Problems can be complicated.  Fortunately, the solution to roadless protections is simple.

Reinstating the Rule will take time, but Secretary Vilsack has a simple solution at his disposal.  Secretary Vilsack can call for a “time-out”, a moratorium, on all activities that would violate the Roadless Rule until further regulations can be codified – As we expect them to be.  We are thankful for the Secretary’s words, and for the Governors support.  Now we are looking for real and meaningful action.  If you haven’t already, take action here and let the Secretary know why you care about roadless wildlands.

It’s good to know that the new administration plans to do the right thing.  It’s good that roadless protection is on the “to-do” list.  In the meantime, we can’t afford to lose these treasured places, and the administration risks losing its credibility.  We have a problem, and we have a solution.  It’s time to apply it!