FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2025

CONTACT:
Elyssa Rosen 775.224.7497

Telebriefing Monday with Rep. Grijalva, former Forest Service Chief, green groups

Groups to ask Obama to implement Roadless Rule; announce campaign launch

UPDATE: Download an MP3 of the telebriefing

WASHINGTON On Monday, January 12, the anniversary of the federal roadless rule, House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Chairman Raśl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and former U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck will join environmental group leaders at a telebriefing to call on President-elect Obama to quickly implement the Roadless Area Conservation Rule and protect the country's most pristine national forests in the face of growing pressure for drilling and development.

At stake are more than 58 million acres of America's national forest roadless areas that provide first-rate recreation, hunting and fishing, safeguard critical wildlife habitat and protect clean drinking water. The outgoing administration has worked to approve significant increases in logging and road-building, as well as hundreds of new oil and gas leases now in the pipeline.

Groups will unveil a nationwide campaign to showcase the strong public support for the 2001 roadless rule, one of the most important land protection measures in a decade.

What:

• Telebriefing to call on incoming Obama administration to uphold the roadless rule, and to launch a new roadless protection campaign.

Who:

• Rep. Raśl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), chairman, House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands
• Mike Dombeck, former U.S. Forest Service Chief
• William Meadows, president, The Wilderness Society
• Jane Danowitz, U.S. public lands director, Pew Environment Group (moderator)

When:

• Monday, January 12, 1 p.m. Eastern Time

How:
1-800-351-6808; passcode "roadless"

An mp3 of the proceedings will be available after 3 p.m. Monday, January 12.

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