Heritage Forests Campaign News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 11, 2005

CONTACT:
Tony Iallonardo
Phone: 202.887.8855
Email: [email protected]

AMERICAN LANDS ALLIANCE " DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE " EARTHJUSTICE " NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST " NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL " SIERRA CLUB " THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY " U.S. PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP

Joint Statement of Conservation Leaders

Citizens Urged to Petition to Restore National Forest Protections

WASHINGTON, DC " National forests belong to all Americans and all should have a say in their management. The Forest Service's repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule replaced the most popularly supported federal regulation in U.S. history with the least popular ever seen. The substitute policy implemented by the Bush administration turned a deaf ear to the public when it was created, and strengthened the hand of logging and mining interests in the states these forests call home.

In its execution, the substitute policy shuts out the views of most Americans, particularly the one-quarter of Americans who do not reside in the states where their national forests are on the chopping block. During a time of record deficits and unprecedented strain on the federal budget, taxpayers should not be burdened with the additional cost of building roads that will destroy clean water sources, wildlife habitat and unparalleled recreational opportunities.

Americans have made it clear time and time again that they want what remains of our country's last intact national forests protected. Through the petition campaign being announced today " they will once again be heard. As the struggle to save these national forests unfolds over the next several months, we have full confidence that the American public will press its government to keep its promise, because once these natural treasures are gone, they can never be replaced.

# # #

Coalition contacts:
Tony Iallonardo, National Environmental Trust (202) 887-8800
Nicole Anzia, The Wilderness Society (202) 833-2300
Marty Hayden, Earthjustice (202) 667-4500
Annie Strickler, Sierra Club (202) 675-2384
Lisa Dix, American Lands Alliance (202) 547-9105
Brad Devries, Defenders of Wildlife (202) 682-9400
Liz Hitchcock, U.S. PIRG (202) 546-9707
Craig Noble, NRDC (415) 875-6103