PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release: July 13, 2004

For More Information Contact:
Steve Pedery, (503) 283-6343 ext. 212

Bush Administration Ends Popular Roadless Rule

Press statement of Jay Ward, Conservation Director of the Oregon Natural Resources Council

Yesterday the Bush administration announced its intent to repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a program created under President Clinton to protect some of the most pristine remaining wild lands within America's National Forests. The administration has said that it will replace this popular rule with a state-by-state "petition" process. The move strips protections from some 58 million acres of public land throughout the nation.

Under this new scheme pro-conservation governors can ask that roadless areas within National Forests within their states be protected, but the administration doesn't have to say yes. And anti-environmental governors will be able to hand over the keys to these important wild areas to the logging industry.

The remaining wild roadless areas within America's National Forests provide vital habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. They also provide our communities with clean water to drink and support important recreational opportunities, from hunting and fishing to backpacking and camping. The President has a responsibility to protect these lands for all Americans, and he shouldn't try to abandon that responsibility by turning over key decisions about the future of these lands to state governors.

This approach makes no sense. These National Forest lands belong to all Americans, and should be managed with the national interest at heart.

The American people support protecting our remaining wild lands and the fish, wildlife, and important recreational opportunities that they support. Over the years 2.5 million public comments were sent in to the federal government in support of protecting roadless areas in our National Forests. Unfortunately, it appears that the timber, mining and drilling industries checkbooks speak louder than the public's voice.

A century ago President Theodore Roosevelt took courageous action in creating America's National Forest system. His bold leadership preserved an important legacy for future generations. Today our nation is sorely in need of Teddy Roosevelt's vision.