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Pew, Conservationists Call on President Obama to Implement Roadless Rule
Lawmakers join in urging suspension of road-building in undeveloped forests
UPDATE: Listen to an MP3 telebriefing with Rep. Grijalva, former Forest Service Chief and Green Group leaders
WASHINGTON—Amid growing pressure to drill and develop some of the nation’s most pristine national forests, public officials and environmental leaders today called on President-elect Barack Obama to take swift action to implement the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The landmark measure, which was issued eight years ago today, protects more than 58 million acres of undeveloped forestland in 38 states.
Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, former U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck, the Pew Environment Group, The Wilderness Society and other conservation groups also asked the incoming Obama administration to suspend road-building, drilling and other industrial activity in national forests that would violate the rule until it can be fully implemented.
“A century ago, our national forest system was created by President Theodore Roosevelt as a legacy for future generations,” said Rep. Grijalva. “I know my colleagues in Congress, from both sides of the aisle, are looking forward to working with our new president to make sure that these forests remained protected through the roadless rule.”
Mike Dombeck, U.S. Forest Service Chief during the Clinton administration and the rule’s principal architect, said the measure was the product of years of scientific analysis and a record amount of public input. “This is a sound and well-thought out policy,” said Dombeck. “Its implementation is critical to ensuring safe drinking water for millions of Americans and protecting some of the nation’s most valuable fish and wildlife habitat.”
The Bush administration attempted to undo the rule and replace it with one that would allow national forest protections to be determined on a state-by-state basis. The move was challenged by environmentalists and is currently the subject of litigation in two federal appellate courts. While in the U.S. Senate, President-elect Obama co-sponsored legislation that would codify the rule, and his presidential campaign endorsed the policy as part of its conservation platform.
“This is one of the most important land protection measures of the decade,” said Jane Danowitz, U.S. public lands program director for the Pew Environment Group. “Implementing the roadless rule should be a priority on day one for the new administration.” The Pew Environment Group today launched a national campaign with other conservation organizations to urge the incoming administration to move quickly to embrace the policy as the law of the land.
Some conservationists are also concerned about potential last minute actions by the outgoing administration that could result in new oil and gas leasing and other industrial activity on previously undeveloped land.
“The Bush administration has created the potential for a surge in drilling and road-building on western public lands, including national forests,” said William Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society, which has been involved in multiple legal efforts to prevent such activity in roadless areas. “It’s especially important that the new administration calls for an immediate ‘time out’ on further activity until the 2001 roadless rule can be fully implemented.”
Download a PDF of the Roosevelt Resolution(PDF)
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• Environmental groups grow optimistic; new wilderness areas appear likely — Daily Progress | February 15, 2009
• Obama must deal with Bush's policy of "runaway" drilling, Clinton's forest chief says — New West | February 15, 2009
• Obama should restore Roadless Area Conservation Rule — The Daily Herald | February 15, 2009
• Roadless Rule supporters waiting for Obama to protect national forests — The New Mexico Independent | January 13, 2009
• Roadless area rule may be reborn — The Roanoke Times | January 13, 2009
• Campaign asks Obama to protect roadless forests — Associated Press | January 12, 2009
• When handing out gifts, let's not forget Mother Nature — By Jane Danowitz — The Star Ledger | December 28, 2008
• Fixing Agriculture — New York Times Editorial | December 19, 2008
• Can the Forest Service get back on track? — By Chris Wood — Denverpost | Novermber, 5 2008
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