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Heritage Forests Campaign News Release

For Immediate Release
March 9, 2006

Statement of Robert Vandermark, Director, Heritage Forests Campaign

North Carolina Governor Files Petition to Protect 100% of State's Roadless Areas

Washington, D.C. "North Carolina Governor Michael Easley is taking a bold step. His petition today carries out the will of the people of North Carolina by protecting these irreplaceable public lands from development and misuse.

"Tens of thousands of North Carolinians sought protection for these last wild areas, and they were ignored. We applaud Governor Easley for his actions today."

Background

North Carolina joins Virginia in petitioning the Bush Administration for permanent protection of their states' roadless areas. Together, these states account for over 566,000 acres in some of the last pristine areas east of the Mississippi. North Carolina's national forests contain 172,000 acres of inventoried roadless areas.

During the adoption of the 2001 roadless rule, 29,489 comments were received by North Carolinians 99 percent supported protection of all roadless areas in the U.S.

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