WASHINGTON (January 17, 2008) - Former U.S. Forest Service Chief Michael Dombeck will lead a teleconference on Jan. 22 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Clinton Administration saving 58.5 million acres of roadless forests. Jan. 22 marks the date the Forest Service proposed an interim moratorium on roadbuilding - a move that became an official rule three years later.

First spring after prescribed fire, Deadwood River roadless area, Boise National Forest, ID. Photo by John McCarthy/ TWS.

The Roadless Area Conservation Rule has overcome a host of still on-going legal challenges by the Bush Administration while protecting wildlife habitat, preserving clean drinking water, providing recreational opportunities for people, and providing a defense against global warming. The highly popular policy has also kept nearly all the lands free from energy development, mining, logging, and roadbuilding.

Teleconference details (journalists only)

Date and time: Jan. 22, 2008 at 1 p.m. EST
Dial-in number: 1-800-311-9401
Passcode: WILD

Panelists

Former U.S. Forest Chief Mike Dombeck was the architect of the Roadless rule that got its start on Jan. 22, 1998.

Panelists will examine rule's scientific, political and human interest importance:

- Mike Dombeck: now a professor of global conservation at the University of Wisconsin, was the Forest Service chief who originated the Roadless rule.
- Holly Endersby: the Idaho resident is a back-country angler, hunter, and equestrienne.
- Amy Roberts: director of government affairs for the Outdoor Industry Association – a trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. She will discuss the economic benefits and popularity of public lands.

Format

Each speaker will make introductory remarks before a TWS moderator opens the floor to questions from reporters.

Background

- Nearly two million Americans wrote letters, sent e-mails, signed petitions, and attended meetings to tell the Forest Service that they wanted to protect the remaining roadless areas in the national forests. The result was a common-sense policy to protect all 58.5 million acres of national forest roadless areas from road building and commercial logging.