As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release.
Judge
Elizabeth Laporte of the Northern District of California today
overturned the Bush administration’s repeal of protections for nearly
60 million acres of pristine national forest lands, including nearly 2
million acres in Oregon.
“The
Bush administration took way too many short-cuts in their rush to clear
cut,” said Jeremiah Baumann, OSPIRG Environmental Advocate. “Our most
pristine national forests are once again safe from destructive logging,
mining, and oil drilling.”
Judge
Laporte found that the Bush administration’s rule violated the National
Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Administrative
Procedures Act.
The
decision reinstates protections first put in place in 2001 under a
policy known as the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The Roadless Rule
protects the last third of America's national forests while allowing
new road construction in order to fight fires, ensure public safety,
and allow brush clearing to protect forest health. The Roadless Rule
ensures that forests will continue to provide clean drinking water,
habitat for wildlife, and endless opportunities for recreation and
solitude.
The
Roadless Rule is the most popular conservation initiative in our
nation's history, having already been supported by a record-breaking
2.5 million public comments, over 79,000 of which came from Oregonians.
