FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bush administration sues to overturn roadless decision

Government to appeal judge’s ruling that Bush repeal of 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule was illegal

The Bush administration will sue to overturn a federal court’s decision that reinstated the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. A notice of appeal was filed in the Ninth Circuit Court today.

CONTACT: Steve Pedery, 503-283-6343 ext. 212

The Bush administration will sue to overturn a federal court’s decision that reinstated the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. A notice of appeal was filed in the Ninth Circuit Court today.

In September of 2006, federal judge Elizabeth Laporte struck down the Bush administration’s repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule because it violated both the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The ruling stemmed from a court challenge initiated by Governor Kulongoski of Oregon, along with the attorney generals of California, Washington, and New Mexico. A coalition of environmental organizations, including Oregon Wild, was also involved in the case.

"The Bush administration just won’t take no for an answer," said Steve Pedery, Conservation Director of Oregon Wild. "Time and time again Americans have spoken up to oppose logging and development of our last unspoiled roadless wildlands, but the Bush administration refuses to listen."

The appeal follows a string of legal defeats for the Bush administration and its environmental policies, including the Supreme Court’s decision that greenhouse gases can be regulated as a pollutant. The courts also ruled against Bush administration policies that sidelined environmental review and public oversight on national forestlands.

"A century ago, Teddy Roosevelt set a standard of conservation and forward-thinking stewardship when he established America’s national forest system," observed Matthew Fisher, Wildlands Advocate for Oregon Wild. "By once again trying to overturn the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, the Bush administration is turning its back on Teddy Roosevelt’s legacy."

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Oregon Wild, formerly Oregon Natural Resources Council, is a non-profit conservation organization with approximately 5,000 members throughout Oregon. Since 1974, Oregon Wild has worked to make Oregon a special place to live, work, and raise a family.

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