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Protecting America's National Forests is a reference guide to the Roadless Rule, which protects our last wild forests from logging, drilling, and mining.

Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee Meets May 8-9, 2006

On May 8 and 9, the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee (RACNAC) will meet for the first time to consider state petitions submitted from Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Read RACNAC member bios.

RACNAC is expected to take its first substantive actions and/or make its first recommendations on those petitions submitted under the Bush administration's new roadless policy. RACNAC's actions could serve as a bellwether and start setting precedents on how the committee will consider petitions and roadless area protection.

Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina were the first states to petition for 100 percent protection of roadless areas within their boundaries and in accordance with the protections and process of the 2001 roadless rule. Together, these states account for one-half million acres in some of the last pristine areas east of the Mississippi. Representatives from the VA, NC and SC governors' offices will present their state's petitions at the RACNAC meeting.

One-Year Anniversary

Since taking office, the Bush administration has steadily undermined the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the Bush administration's announcement that it was ending protections for roadless areas on our National Forests.

Background

• Broken promises - Despite its pledge of interim protection one year ago, the U.S. Forest Service is moving ahead with new activities in more than 20 inventoried roadless areas, while their fate is still being decided.
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• Strong opposition - In the past year, a bi-partisan group of governors and members of Congress, locally elected officials, hunters and anglers, outdoor businesses, conservationists and other citizens from across the country have voiced their strong opposition to overturning protections for our last remaining pristine forests and have taken positive steps forward to protect these natural treasures. From Maine to California, the chorus of diverse voices speaking out and taking action for the protection of these wild forests has been overwhelming...and it's still growing.
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• Chronology of the Roadless Area Conservation Policy