October 11, 2005 (Washington, DC) - National forests belong to all Americans and all should have a say in their management. The Forest Service’s repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule replaced the most popularly supported federal regulation in U.S. history with the least popular ever seen. The substitute policy implemented by the Bush administration turned a deaf ear to the public when it was created, and strengthened the hand of logging and mining interests in the states these forests call home.
In its execution, the substitute policy shuts out the views of most Americans, particularly the one-quarter of Americans who do not reside in the states where their national forests are on the chopping block. During a time of record deficits and unprecedented strain on the federal budget, taxpayers should not be burdened with the additional cost of building roads that will destroy clean water sources, wildlife habitat and unparalleled recreational opportunities.
Americans have made it clear time and time again that they want what remains of our country’s last intact national forests protected. Through the petition campaign being announced today – they will once again be heard. As the struggle to save these national forests unfolds over the next several months, we have full confidence that the American public will press its government to keep its promise, because once these natural treasures are gone, they can never be replaced.
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