Oregon Natural Resources Council (ONRC)

PRESS RELEASE

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                               February 9th, 2006  

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

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 Washington Governor Joins Roadless Forests Lawsuit

Governor Gregoire’s move applauded by conservationists

Portland- The conservation group Oregon Natural Resources Council (ONRC) today applauded Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire for joining in a court challenge aimed at restoring protections for 58.5 million of acres of pristine roadless lands in America's national forests. Washington now joins Oregon, California, and New Mexico in a legal action filed in August of 2005.

“We commend Governor Gregoire for taking a stand to protect America’s pristine roadless forests,” said Steve Pedery, Conservation Program Manager for Oregon Natural Resources Council. “American’s value wild, unspoiled places, and they want them preserved for our children and grandchildren.”

The multi-state lawsuit contends that the new Bush administration policy for managing roadless areas in national forests violates environmental laws and will harm rare and endangered wildlife.  It also argues that logging and other development can harm clean drinking water supplies. Conservationists, sportsmen, businesses, and outdoor enthusiasts are also concerned about the new policy’s negative impact to companies and communities that depend on outdoor recreation and tourism.

“In Oregon and throughout the country hunters, anglers, horsemen, and backpackers are standing up and saying “no” to turning bulldozers and chainsaws loose in these pristine roadless lands,” added Pedery. “These wild lands are part of our natural heritage, and they should be protected, not trashed.”

The original 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 approximately two million acres apiece in Washington and Oregon.  The Roadless Rule protected America’s remaining pristine roadless forests from logging, mining, and other destructive activities while allowing for temporary road building in order to fight fires, and ensure public safety.

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