As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release.
Opposition
to Bush Administration's Repeal of Roadless Rule Strong in Oregon
PORTLAND—A broad coalition
announced today that more than one million Americans have called on the Bush
administration to abandon its proposal to repeal the widely popular Roadless
Area Conservation Rule. To date in this most recent round, 50,636 comments have
been submitted by citizens of Oregon in support of protecting roadless forests.
With the administration's 120-day comment period reaching the halfway mark today,
coalition members said they expect comments against the Bush plan to continue
to pour in.
"It's abundantly clear
that Americans across the country continue to overwhelmingly support protecting
our last wild forests," said Maureen Kirk, Executive Director of Oregon
State Public Interest Research Group. "The public has shown little tolerance
for the Bush administration's National Forests giveaway, and we hope this outpouring
convinces them to change direction."
Weakening Protection for
America's Last Wild Lands
On July 12th, the Bush administration
proposed replacing National Forests protections currently in place under the
2001 Roadless Rule with a complicated scheme that turns key management decisions
over to state governors. Conservationists say the Bush plan eviscerates current
forests protections, and instead abdicates national forest stewardship. Pro-conservation
governors can petition to have roadless areas in their state protected, but
the Forest Service is not required to honor their requests. By doing nothing
anti-environmental governors will be able to open up wild backcountry areas
to logging, mining and drilling.
Last week the Forest Service
extended the public comment period after weeks of pressure from conservationists,
hunters, anglers, and others groups that want to see rugged backcountry areas
protected, but it has not scheduled any public hearings. Comments are now being
accepted until November 15th.
"Pushing the comment
period off past the election is a sign that the Bush administration is feeling
political heat," said Steve Pedery, Wild Lands Advocate with the Oregon
Natural Resources Council. "American's want their remaining roadless wild
lands protected, and the Bush administration ought to honor their wishes by
dropping their plan to open these areas up to logging and other development."
American's Support Roadless Area Protections
The Roadless Rule was finalized
in January 2001 after years of scientific study, 600 local public hearings and
meetings and a record number of public comments. Prior to the current public
comment period, the Forest Service received 2.5 million comments in favor of
the rule. The Roadless Rule protects 58.5 million acres nationwide, nearly 2
million acres in Oregon, while allowing temporary road construction in order
to fight wildfires, ensure public safety, and protect forest health. Conservationists
say the rule ensures that national forests will continue to provide habitat
for fish and wildlife, clean drinking water for millions of Americans, and endless
opportunities for recreation.
Multnomah County Commission
Votes in Favor of Roadless Protection
On September 9th the Multnomah
County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution favoring the protection of
roadless wild lands in Oregon as a way of safeguarding clean drinking water
and the state's quality of life. Commissioners also expressed concern that opening
up Oregon's remaining backcountry areas to logging, mining, drilling, and other
destructive activities could harm the state's tourism and recreation economy.
"The importance of
protecting our forests goes far beyond recreational opportunities and aesthetic
appeal," said Multnomah County Chair Diane Linn. "It's about our health,
our quality of life and our ability to attract and keep good jobs in our region."
