Policy and Politics
Rulemaking
On May 13, 2005 the Bush administration repealed the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protected America’s last wild forests from most road building and resource extraction. This new policy leaves these lands vulnerable to commodity activities and is stacked against roadless area conservation. Find out more.
Litigation
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule has come under a coordinated and sustained attack by the timber industry and its allies ever since it was adopted in January 2001. Over the years, courts have found the rule to be legal in its scope. But on May 13, 2005, the Administration repealed the 2001 roadless rule and replaced it with a state petition process, thus rendering pending legal action moot. The December 2002 ruling in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is still the final legal word on the roadless rule. Find out more.
Public Support
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule was enacted following more than three decades of broad public debate, years of scientific review, and three years of broad public participation. More Americans took part in this rule-making process than in any other federal rule making in history. The rule enjoyed broad, diverse support support.from all over the country. Find out more.
On Capitol Hill
Over the years, members of Congress have supported the 2001 roadless rule and have been opposed to the recent repeal of these protections. In July 2005, over 140 members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill that will codify the roadless rule into law. A Senate companion bill is also expected in 2005.
The Bush administration’s assault on our national forests has also weakened wildlife and watershed protections and increased logging under the guise of fire prevention in our national forests.
Find out more.
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