As the new home of Arizona PIRG's environmental work, Environment Arizona can be contacted with any questions regarding this news release.
The Arizona
Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG), Protect Arizona's Roadless Areas
(PARA), the Zane Grey Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and concerned hikers and outdoor
enthusiasts announced today that one million Americans have called on the Bush
administration to abandon its proposal to repeal the popular Roadless Area Conservation
Rule. Over the last few years, the Forest Service has received an additional
2.5 million comments in support of protecting roadless forests, including almost
20,000 from concerned individuals from Arizona. With 60 days left in the administration's
comment period, coalition members said they expect comments against the Bush
plan to continue to pour in.
"It is clear that Americans
across our country continue to overwhelmingly support the protection of our
last remaining wild places," said Caroline Tinker of Protect Arizona's
Roadless Areas (PARA). "In Arizona alone, more than 37,000 residents have
commented in support of roadless area protection—this represents over 90
percent of all who weighed in on this important rule. We hope that our Forest
Service listens to the people and not special interests."
On July 12th, the Bush administration
proposed replacing National Forest protections currently in place in the Roadless
Rule. Conservationists say the Bush plan abdicates national forest stewardship
to state and local politicians who could either petition for protection of roadless
areas in their states—or for more logging, mining and drilling.
Last week the Forest Service
extended the public comment period after weeks of pressure from the public but
has not scheduled any public hearings. Comments are now being accepted until
November 15th.
"The extension of the
comment period is a clear indication that the roadless issue has become too
big a thorn in the Bush administration's side," said Brad Johnson, field
associate for Arizona Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). "The public
has always supported protecting wild places, and we hope this latest outpouring
convinces the Bush administration to change direction."
The Roadless Rule was finalized
in January 2001 after years of scientific study, 600 local public hearings and
meetings and a record number of public comments. Prior to the current public
comment period, the Forest Service received 2.5 million comments in favor of
the rule. The Roadless Rule protects 58.5 million acres nationwide, including
nearly 1.2 million acres in Arizona, while allowing temporary road construction
in order to fight wildfires, ensure public safety, and protect forest health.
Conservationists say the rule ensures that national forests will continue to
provide habitat for fish and wildlife, clean drinking water for millions of
Americans, and endless opportunities for recreation.
"Let's be clear: the
day this proposal takes effect, millions of acres of our last wild forests will
be immediately at risk," said Johnson. "The Bush administration should
listen to the millions of Americans who want their wild forests protected for
future generations and keep the Roadless Rule intact."
