ADMINISTRATION LOOKS TO ELIMINATE PROTECTIONS FOR ROADLESS AREAS IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL FORESTS

ADMINISTRATION LOOKS TO ELIMINATE PROTECTIONS FOR ROADLESS AREAS IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL FORESTS

Audubon Calls on American’s Who Care About Our Forests’ Future to Voice Their Concerns During Public Comment Period

Washington, DC, Thursday, July 29, 2004 – In a move widely condemned by conservationists, sportsmen’s associations, and outdoor recreation groups, the Bush Administration announced plans July 12 to eliminate the Clinton-era Roadless Area Conservation Rule limiting logging and development in 58.5 million acres of national forest. Today, Audubon calls on Americans who care about the environment to let the Administration know how they feel during the public comment period ending September 14. They can take action on Audubon’s website at http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/summary.asp?subject=336.

The Roadless Rule was adopted in 2001 after two years of public participation, including hearings throughout the country and comment periods. The public overwhelmingly supported the rule: more than two million comments were submitted in its favor. With more than half of America’s national forest lands already subjected to road building, logging, mining, and other development, the Roadless Rule offered some balance, allowing for the conservation of critical habitat for endangered and threatened birds and other wildlife, and safeguarding some land for future generations.

“The implementation of the Roadless Rule had more Americans commenting on it and supporting it than any other federal rule in U.S. history. Yet, the administration has ignored the public’s clearly expressed desire to protect the last untouched areas of our national forests,” said Bob Perciasepe, Audubon’s chief operating officer. “We urge those Americans who care about the fate of our nation’s forests to once again let the government know how you feel during this public comment period.”

The Administration’s proposed rule provides no guaranteed protection for a single acre of roadless forest. Instead, Agliculture Secretary Ann Veneman has put forward a rule that would require America’s governors to petition the U.S. Forest Service to retain roadless protections on national forests in their states. It would likely result in millions of acres being opened to road building, logging, development, and other activities.

The Bush Administration’s move comes one year after they stripped protections for the Tongass and Chugach Forests in Alaska and allowed states to apply for exemptions from the roadless rule. “The clear intent of this destructive, three-year-long policy is increased timber cutting and increased road building,” Perciasepe stated. “This is not a policy based on what is good for birds and wildlife; it’s a policy based on what’s good for the special interests.”

“I urge Audubon members and our friends to fight this ‘shoot-all-the-buffalo’ mentality,” Perciasepe concluded. “We must not allow this opportunistic weakening of our nation’s environmental laws, but should work together to protect our wild places for birds, wildlife, and all Americans.”

Concerned citizens can send their comments to the Administration via Audubon’s “Take Action” website http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/summary.asp?subject=336.