Heritage Forests Campaign News Advisory

May 5, 2004

Members of Congress, Environmentalists to Call on Bush Administration to Keep Promise to Protect Roadless Forests

Imminent Changes Would Destroy Forests

WASHINGTON, DC -- Members of Congress and environmental groups will mark the three-year anniversary of Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Venemanís pledge to uphold the 2001 Roadless Rule with a series of actions including a press event May 5 on Capitol Hill, release of a series of reports on the dangers of the expected Bush plan, and advertisements to run in Congress Daily.

Changes to the Roadless Rule protecting the last pristine roadless portions of Americaís national forests threaten to ravage millions of acres with commercial logging, road-building and mining. Despite Secretary Venemanís pledge, Agriculture Undersecretary Mark E. Rey recently announced that changes to the rule were imminent. Environmental advocates expect the changes to follow the Bush Administrationís practice of favoring logging interests instead of protecting our last wild forests for future generations.

Day: Wednesday, May 5th, Time: Noon

Location: Cannon House Office Building Terrace, Capitol Hill

Attendees: Sen. Maria Cantwell, Reps. Jay Inslee, Maurice Hinchey, Earl Blumenauer, David Wu, members of Heritage Forests Campaign, U.S. PIRG, National Environmental Trust, others.

TV Media: A satellite feed of b-roll footage will be made available. For information contact Jennifer Quilo at Planet Vox at 202-842-1515.

Radio Media: State specific and national radio actualities are available. Live interviews can also be scheduled. For assistance, call Esther Rege at Strauss Radio at 202-638-0200.

Online copies of the local reports and ads along with high resolution forest photos will be available at ourforests.org

For additional information, contact Tony Iallonardo, at 202-887-8800.

The Heritage Forests Campaign is an alliance of conservationists, wildlife advocates, clergy, educators, scientists, and other Americans who are working together to uphold protection of our National Forests. To learn more, visit: ourforests.org