Roadless Facts, by the Numbers:
- 20,698,000 - Total national forest acres in California
- 4,416,000 - Number of roadless acres
- 21% - Percentage of California's national forest acres at risk of being developed over time under the Bush Administration's plan
- 86 - Number of public meetings and hearings on Roadless Area Conservation Rule in California in 1999
- 187,695 - Number of comments generated in California in support of Roadless Area Conservation Rule (last comment period)
- 18,252,283 - People who participated in outdoor recreation in California in 2003 (Outdoor Industry Foundation)
- Area of Special Interest: The San Joaquin Roadless Area on the Inyo National Forest is adjacent to the Ansel Adams Wilderness. With its large alpine meadow and old growth areas, this area provides a wonderful spot for hiking, as well as the wildland backdrop to Mammoth Mountain Resort.
All figures are from the US Forest Service, unless otherwise noted. Map of California's National Forests courtesy of http://roadless.fs.fed.us/maps/usmap2.shtml See website for individual maps of roadless areas.
Editorial Comments:
"In a remarkable display of doublespeak, Veneman with a straight face spoke of the president's commitment to "cooperatively conserving roadless areas in national forests." The new Bush plan, however, turns the concept of national-forest preservation upside down."
-- San Francisco Chronicle, "Bush opens gates to more logging," July 13, 2004 "National forests, by their very name, demand a management ethic that reflects national priorities and values, and this new plan leaves national treasures at risk."
-- Fresno Bee, "Politics trumps preservation: New forest policy turns national treasures over to state whims," July 15, 2004
For More Information
- Sara Barth, California/Nevada Regional Director, The Wilderness Society, 415-561-6641
