WASHINGTON, D.C. - To counteract an onslaught of forest rollbacks proposed by the Bush Administration, the Heritage Forests Campaign is launching a national "Don't Kiss Off the Roadless Rule" campaign today, which uses the power of LOVE to persuade the Bush Administration to "have a heart and save our forests."

"When it comes to our forests, President Bush is killing them softly…with his saw," said Robert Vandermark, Co-Director, Heritage Forests Campaign. "Our approach may be a little light-hearted, but the sweetheart deal that the timber industry has with the Bush Administration to log our national forests is not."

"Big timber's love for the White House is clear cut," said Tiernan Sittenfeld, Conservation Advocate, US PIRG. "Instead of cozying up to the timber industry, President Bush should stop in the name of love. Before you break our hearts, think it over."

The main focus of the effort is the Roadless Area Conservation rule, which protects 58.5 million acres of national forest lands from most commercial logging and road-building, and was crafted after years of scientific analysis and 600 public hearings. The Forest Service has received more than 2.2 million comments from the American people nationwide in favor of the rule.

Even though the rule was upheld by a federal appeals court in December, effectively making it the law of the land, the Bush Administration has signaled its intention to amend the rule. Also, the Administration has scheduled 49 timber projects in roadless areas in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. HFC's Valentine's Day effort calls on the Bush Administration to implement the rule as originally adopted in 2001.

"Despite overwhelming support for roadless protection, The Bush Administration has failed to implement the roadless rule - so we thought we'd try a little tenderness," said Vandermark, "Our message is simple Mr. President, love 'em, don't log 'em."

The "Don't Kiss Off the Roadless Rule" campaign will include television and print ads running in the Washington area market, a new website, and more than twenty events at Forest Service headquarters throughout the country.

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Contact: Tony Iallonardo, NET
(202) 887-8855

The Heritage Forests Campaign is an alliance of conservationists, wildlife advocates, clergy, educators, scientists, and other Americans working together to uphold protection of our National Forests. Heritage Forests Campaign's partners include Alaska Rainforest Coalition, American Hiking Society, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, National Environmental Trust, National Audubon Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, US PIRG, and The Wilderness Society.