May 5, 2005 (Washington, DC) - Today the Administration opened a new front in its war on America’s remaining unspoiled public lands. The new rule strips protections from 58.5 million acres of pristine federal forests, potentially exposing them to logging, road building and other development. This decision comes hard on the heels of another attack on our public lands: congressional passage of a budget aimed at opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.
The Administration’s decision today is nothing less than an outright repeal of the Roadless Rule and shows blatant disregard for the concerns of the public. Instead of the protection Americans have sought and supported for years, this Administration has chosen a meaningless and confusing petition process designed to distract attention from the fact that they are gutting the popular rule.
At a time when our country is facing a record budget deficit and vital programs are facing cuts, it makes no sense to spend more taxpayer money on roads in our last untouched forests. America’s national forests are currently covered with 386,000 miles of roads - enough to encircle the earth 15 times and the Forest Service currently has a $10 billion maintenance backlog on those roads. The Administration already seems to have more roads than they can handle.
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule garnered ten times more public comments than any federal rule in history when it was enacted in 2001. Americans from all walks of life, from both political parties, from Maine to California, all weighed in to support this legislation. And they did so with good reason, the roadless areas of our national forests provide unparalleled recreational opportunities and essential intact habitats for wildlife; they are a critical source of clean drinking water for western cities, and help provide clean air. Perhaps as important, they are part of the unspoiled landscape so central to the American identity. Americans want to protect a portion of our most unspoiled places to create a legacy for our children; the government should too.
The Administration’s choice today defies the opinions of hundreds of scientists and economists. It will have a direct negative impact on many outdoor businesses, and on hunters and anglers who know there is no substitute for undisturbed forests and roadless areas. Most distressing of all though, is how the Administration’s decision today displays its willful disregard for the millions of Americans who desperately want to see these natural treasures protected.
