Photo by Josh Mahan

Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Protect Roadless National Forests Introduced Conservationists Hail Congress’ Response to Bush Administration’s Repeal of Roadless Rule

“Congress sees that the Bush Administration plan is putting us on a path to logging our last wild National Forests, and they’ve responded by saying they have a better plan,” said Michael Francis of The Wilderness Society. “This bill provides an alternative that makes the choice stark for policymakers – we can either ruin our last wild forests, or we can save them."

The bill – The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2005 – a measure to protect 58.5 million acres of National Forest lands from most commercial logging and road-building was introduced today in the House with 146 original co-sponsors.

The bill codifies the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, one of the most sweeping land conservation measures in a generation, which was overturned by the Bush Administration in May. The legislation would protect the remaining one-third of undeveloped forests from most commercial logging and road building. As required by the Roadless Rule, the bill would allow temporary roads to be constructed in order to fight fires, ensure public safety and provide for thinning to protect forest health.

The Bush rule implemented last May repeals the protections provided by the Roadless Rule, and substitutes it with a process that conservationists say will likely result in even more roadbuilding and logging.  Under the Bush Rule, Governors are allowed to petition the Forest Service with their recommendations for the treatment of roadless areas. Western governors particularly have been expressing concern that engaging in the Administration’s expensive and politically thorny petition process could be fruitless, since the Forest Service gets to make final determinations.

“This legislation listens to the will of the American people,” said Robert Vandermark of National Environmental Trust.  “Before the Bush Administration officially repealed the Roadless Rule over four million public comments were submitted in support of protecting all our roadless areas.”

The Roadless Rule was approved following years of scientific study and more than 600 public meetings across the country. During its consideration, 2.5 million Americans wrote the Federal government in support of the rule, making it the most popular in American history.  Since then, another 1.8 million comments were received by the Bush administration opposing their plan and urging reinstatement of the original protection policy.