Heritage Forests Campaign News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2004

Statement of Robert Vandermark, Co-director of the Heritage Forests Campaign, On Today's Forest Service Announcement

Decision to Log Thousands of Acres on Oregonís Siskiyou National Forest

Washington, DC (June 1, 2004) -- Todayís Forest Service announcement to log thousands of acres of roadless areas in Oregonís Siskiyou National Forest is tragically consistent with Bush Administration pattern of dishing out favors to the timber industry. Whether itís their so-called 'Healthy Forests Initiative,' exempting Alaskaís Tongass National Forest from protections or weakening the Roadless Rule - the end result is always the same - remove the trees.

The plan announced by the Forest Service today is another example of unbalanced policy. This plan only makes economic sense to the timber industry, while ignoring the vast majority of public opinion, the recommendations of the scientific community, while costing U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars and destroying some of the most valuable habitat in the nation.

CONTACT:
Tony Iallonardo, NET
202-887-8855 (ph)
202-271-8602 (cell)

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