U.S. PIRG, the Sierra Club, Congressman William Jefferson and a coalition of sportsmen and outdoor businesses called on the Bush administration today to abandon its proposal to repeal the widely popular Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

The Roadless Rule was enacted in January 2001 to protect 58.5 million acres of pristine national forests from most logging and road-building, including 5,000 acres of the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. The Bush administration has proposed replacing the Roadless Rule with a meaningless process that allows governors to petition for protections from logging, mining, and drilling in pristine national forests in their states, with no guarantee the petition will be granted.

The Bush administration is accepting comments on its proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule until November 15th. In early August, a diverse coalition came together to announce a goal of generating one million comments in opposition to the proposal. "With just over a month to go in the comment period, we are closing in on having one and one-half million comments in opposition to this ill-advised proposal," said U.S. PIRG's Citizen Outreach Director, Jeff Mika. "It's abundantly clear that the American public continues to overwhelmingly support protecting our last wild forests."

"The Bush administration's repeal of the Roadless Rule is one of their biggest and most brazen attacks on the environment to date, especially given that it ignores the 2.5 million comments the Forest Service has received in support of the rule," charged Sierra Club Organizer Darryl Malek-Wiley. "Even for an administration that has sided with the special interests time and time again; with the utility industry on clean air, and with developers on clean water, this latest environmental assault is stunning."

The Bush administration has already eliminated protections for Alaska's Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule, despite receiving at least 250,000 comments in opposition to its proposal, including comments from Staples, K.B. Homes, and Hayward Lumber - all companies that are major consumers of wood products who believe that it does not make sense to destroy America's last wild forests.

Congressman William J. Jefferson said in a statement read by Staffer Erika Edwards, "This administration has proven in four years that their interests are 'SPECIAL INTERESTS' - in healthcare, in tax cuts for big business and the wealthy, and in protecting our environment." He also urged the public to take advantage of the extended comment period to weigh in and oppose the Bush administration's proposal.

Enacted in January 2001, the Roadless Rule protects the last third of America's national forests while allowing new road construction in order to fight fires, ensure public safety, and allow brush clearing to protect forest health. The Roadless Rule ensures that forests will continue to provide clean drinking water, habitat for wildlife, and endless opportunities for recreation and solitude.

Local guide and outfitter Byron Almquist of Canoe and Trail was in attendance to point out the pro-business argument in protecting roadless areas. "These areas are important ecologically and economically. Roadless areas in our national forests are ideal spots for outdoor recreation of all types, from hiking and biking to paddling and climbing - activities that support businesses through services such as mine and sales to companies such as Nike, Kelty, Sierra Designs, REI and Gregory and the countless other outdoor businesses that support full implementation of the Roadless Rule."

"Let's be clear: the day this proposal takes effect, millions of acres of our last wild forests will be immediately at risk. The Bush administration should abandon its wrongheaded logging proposals and start protecting America's last wild forests for future generations. Keeping the Roadless Rule intact in the Lower 48 and in Alaska's Chugach and reinstating the rule in the Tongass would be a good start," finished Mika.

• Find out more about the campaign to defend the Roadless Rule at http://wildforests.com or http://ourforests.org


• U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organization. U.S. PIRG, in association with state PIRGs in 28 states, conducts research and public education on public health, environmental, consumer, and democracy issues. Contact our Gulf States office at (504) 314-0773. On the web at: http://uspirg.org/gulf


• The Sierra Club, America's oldest and largest grassroots organization, is dedicated to preserving, protecting and enjoying the environment. Contact our Louisiana office at (225) 925-8650. On the web at: http://www.sierraclub.org


• Canoe and Trail is a business that specializes in offering outdoor adventure trips and wilderness skills classes primarily to residents of the greater New Orleans area. Contact Byron Almquist at (504) 834-5257. On the web at: http://www.canoeandtrail.com

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM JEFFERSON

I apologize that I am unable to be here with you today to urge the continued public support of our national forests but I must be in Washington to fight for your interests on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

I did want to let the public know that I fully support the Roadless Rule and I think the Bush Administration's proposal to repeal it shows the President's lack of commitment and dedication to our environment.

This administration has proven in four years that their interests are "SPECIAL INTERESTS" - in healthcare, in tax cuts for big business and the wealthy, and in protecting our environment.

The Roadless Rule is a widely supported policy that protects the last of our national forests from most logging and road construction while allowing new roads in order to fight fires and ensure public safety. It protects 58.5 million acres of our national forests and ensures that our forests continue to provide drinking water for Americans, habitat for our animals, and recreation opportunities for our families.

Despite its popularity and importance, the Bush Administration continues to undermine its effectiveness - now going so far as to propose eliminating it and replacing it with a state-by-state process that allows governors to petition for protection for roadless areas in their states. Why should we have to petition for protection of our water and our land? It should be our right.

The Roadless rule protects that right and I will continue to support it and any other policy that like it that protects our environment, thus protecting us, from the dangers of over-development and pollution.

Thank you for allowing me the time to share my comments today. I urge all of you to take advantage of the extended public comment period and submit comments in support of the Roadless Rule until the public comment period closes. Thank you again and good day.