SEATTLE (July 31, 2006) -- "Two treasured roadless areas in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southern Oregon are now under threat-the North and South Kalmiopsis Roadless Areas. The Wilderness Society is deeply concerned and disappointed by the Bush administration's continued push to log in our wild and roadless National Forest lands."

"In June, the administration auctioned off the Mike's Gulch Timber Sale, despite Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski's repeated requests to the administration to halt its plans. And now the administration has announced its plans to auction the Blackberry Timber Sale on Friday, August 4, 2006. These are the first planned logging projects in roadless areas in this country since the popular protections of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule were established.

"These cherished roadless National Forest lands are being opened up to logging despite the repeated objections of state and local governments, hunting and fishing enthusiasts, local businesses and the majority of Oregonians. Millions of Americans have repeatedly expressed their strong desire to protect our nation's roadless forests.

"Even while Governor Kulongoski is following the administration's own procedures and is preparing a formal petition-a process during which the administration has repeatedly promised no harm would come to the roadless places in question-the Bush administration continues to move forward on these divisive and controversial roadless logging projects."