Oregon Natural Resources Council (ONRC) * Oregon State Public Interest Research Group * Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center * Umpqua Watersheds

For Immediate Release: August 30, 2005

For More Information Contact:
Steve Pedery, ONRC, (503) 283-6343 ext. 212
Maureen Kirk, OSPIRG, (503) 231-4181 x 306
Joseph Vaile, KS-Wild, (541) 488-5789
Penny Lind, Umpqua Watersheds, (541) 672-7065

Conservationists Applaud Oregon Court Challenge on Roadless Forests, Urge Kulongoski to Act

States of OR, NM, and CA take Bush administration to court over plan to open roadless wild forests to development

Portland, OR -- Oregon conservationists today applauded the announcement of a court challenge by the states of Oregon, New Mexico, and California aimed at overturning the Bush administration’s plan to open America’s last roadless wild forests to logging and other development. However, conservationists urged Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to do more.

“Governor Kulongoski said he was committed to protecting Oregon’s two million acres of roadless wild forests from the Bush administration’s plan to open them to logging and development,” said Regna Merritt, Executive Director of the Oregon Natural Resources Council. “We applaud the court challenge, but the Governor shouldn’t put all his eggs in one basket. He needs follow through and petition the Forest Service to restore protections for Oregon’s pristine roadless lands.”

The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, one of the most popular land conservation measures in a generation, safeguarded over 58 million acres of pristine lands in America’s national forests, including two million acres in Oregon. The Roadless Rule recognized the value of these lands for clean drinking water, habitat for fish and wildlife, and the outstanding recreational opportunities they provide for American families. It protected America’s remaining pristine roadless forests from logging, mining, and other destructive activities. The 2001 Roadless Rule allowed for temporary roads to be constructed in order to fight fires, ensure public safety and provide for thinning to protect forest health.

The Bush Administration repealed these protections in May of 2005 and substituted a complex process where Governors must petition the Forest Service to restore protections for roadless wild forests in their states. While skeptical of the Bush administration’s intentions, Oregon conservation groups have long urged Kulongoski to petition the federal government to protect all two million acres of roadless wild lands in National Forests in Oregon.

“The bottom line is that Oregon’s roadless wild forests should be protected as a legacy for our children and grandchildren,” noted Maureen Kirk, Executive Director of the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group. “We welcome the Governor’s court challenge, but he needs to petition the Forest Service to protect all two million acres that were protected under the 2001 rule.”

Oregon’s Governor Ted Kulongoski has strongly opposed the Bush administration and their efforts to open up wild areas in Oregon’s National Forests to logging and development. In his 2005 State of the State address, Kulongoski said:

“The time has come to stop looking in the rearview mirror - and end the debate about roadless areas. We thought this debate was over - and it should be. The Administration’s attempt to repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule must cease.

Protect roadless areas - do not destroy them!”

The Governor’s office has suggested that filing a petition to protect Oregon’s last wild forests would be overly burdensome and expensive. However, given the 600 public hearings held on the original 2001 rule, and tens of thousands of comments the Forest Service received from Oregonians who wanted to see roadless wild areas preserved, the Governor could simply request the Forest Service go back to their 2001 maps and reinstate the previous safeguards.

“We need Governor Kulongoski to stand up for Oregon values and protect these last wild forests,” added Joseph Vaile, Campaign Director with the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center. “These roadless wild lands should be preserved for our children and grandchildren, not opened up to bulldozers, chainsaws, and log trucks.”

“As a mother and grandmother I am concerned about a safety, being prepared and follow through,” said Penny Lind, Executive Director of the conservation group Umpqua Watersheds. “An official petition that also asks for 100% roadless protection is that level of safety, preparedness, and follow through that we need.”

The original 2001 Roadless Rule was approved following years of scientific study and more than 600 public meetings across the country. During its consideration, 2.5 million Americans wrote the Federal government in support of the rule, making it the most popular in American history.