[BCNnet] FYI: Forests: Judge Reinstates Original Roadless Rule

[Randi Doeker - Chicago]

This is a Sierra Club announcement, sent FYI.  Randi Doeker, Chicago

--


Judge Reinstates Original Roadless Rule Marking Huge Victory for Americans,
Wild Forests*
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director


"Today marks a huge victory for America's last remaining wild forests and 
the millions of Americans who have spoken out in support of protecting these

special places for future generations. These are increasingly scarce 
unspoiled places that provide some of the highest quality fish and wildlife 
habitat, backcountry recreation and clean water supplies in the country.
"Today's ruling underscores the strong framework of the Roadless Rule, the 
basis of which was overwhelming scientific and economic evidence and public 
opinion in favor of protecting America's last wild forests.

"The Bush administration replaced the original rule with a policy that left 
wild forests across the country vulnerable to destructive oil and gas 
development, commercial logging and road building. The administration has 
already moved forward with timber sales in roadless areas in Alaska, New 
Hampshire, and Oregon.

"From policies that prioritize logging over community fire protection to 
proposals that sell-off National Forests, the Bush administration has worked

to weaken or eliminate the core protections for America's wild forests. They

have put the interests of the timber industry ahead of the clean water, 
recreational opportunities, economic benefits and wildlife habitat that 
these forests provide the country."

Background on Roadless Area Conservation Rule, Today's Decision:

The Roadless Rule, designed to protect 58 million acres of roadless wild 
forests in 39 states, was the result of the most extensive public comment 
process in history, spanning three years and 600 public meetings. During the

rulemaking, the Clinton administration received a record-breaking one 
million public comments in support of protecting wild forests. To date, the 
Forest Service has received more than 4 million comments from the American 
people.

Blocking the Roadless Rule was one of the new administration's first 
decisions upon taking office, followed shortly by refusal to defend the rule

in court. In the spring of 2005 the administration officially repealed the 
original rule and replaced it with a process whereby Governors must petition

the federal government for forest protections in their states. Governors had

until November of this year to announce their petitions. In the public 
comment period for the Bush administration policy, the majority of the 1.8 
million comments were opposed to the change.

Today's decision reinstates the original Roadless Rule and finds that the 
Bush administration violated the law when it adopted their petition process.

The ruling injoins the Forest Service from taking any action contrary to the

Roadless Rule.