A recent study by the respected Mellman Group determined that 67 percent of voters support the new U.S. Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Rule, while only 19 percent oppose it. The rule has gained wide public support, yet the Bush administration, in accord with its woeful record on the environment, is considering dismantling the rule and giving free reign to the timber, mining and oil industries on our last remaining wild forests.

Without getting into any of the other blatantly destructive policies proposed by the Cheney-Bush Administration (such as mouthing a national energy policy while gutting funding for energy conservation and renewable energy programs), let’s look at the assertion that the federal rule to protect the American people’s national forests for future generations was some sort of “eleventh hour” move by the previous administration.

These are the facts:

The Roadless Area Conservation Rule would by itself protect only 15 percent of the 4.7 million acres of national forests in the Southern Appalachians that remain “roadless” (a U.S. Forest Service term describing relatively unspoiled, remote areas having few if any roads, where the landscape retains its natural character).

This wild forest policy nationally protects 58.5 million acres of public forests from subsidized commercial logging and road construction only, keeping them open for recreation, wildlife and drinking water supplies. The rule affects less than one quarter of 1 percent of the nation’s timber supply.

The rule was the result of a three-year process involving both public and congressional debate, beginning in 1998 with the moratorium on new road construction while a federal road policy was developed to address an $8.5 billion backlog in deferred maintenance costs

This rule provided the most extensive public input process on federal rulemaking in this country’s history, involving over the final year more than 600 public hearings in all 50 states. The rule was developed by soliciting input, developing a draft position, again soliciting input, developing a final position, and soliciting input.

During this period, over 1.6 million comments were received by the federal agencies. Ninety-five percent of these comments supported full and permanent protection for these “roadless areas.” In North Carolina, over 25,000 comments supported the policy, 145 did not.

In July 2000, over 2,000 leaders and individuals from many different parts of the U.S. religious communtiy asked the U.S. Forest Service to fully protect all national forest roadless areas. “The instruction to care for creation is found in Scripture as well as other religious and ethical teachings,” the letter’s 2,000 signatories stated. “Moreover, it is often in wild places, such as pristine forests, that we encounter Creation’s sheer magnificence. There, in awe and serenity, our hearts turn to God.”

In October 2000, 393 scientists from across the nation wrote, “In light of the irreplaceable functions these roadless areas serve, it is wise to provide them as much protection from development as possible.”

The wild forest protection plan does not restrict access for hiking, hunting, fishing or other recreation, nor does the policy close public roads. More than 80 percent of hunters and anglers favor keeping our wild areas roadless. Rather than costing jobs, the U.S. Forest Service estimates that recreation on our national forests contribute 38 times more income to the economy and provide up to 30 times more jobs.
In anticipation of another cruel attempt to whip up public hysteria that will certainly be resurrected this year by opponents of the plan, it should be noted that on March 21 of this year the U.S. Forest Service testified before Congress that the wild forest protection policy would not affect fire management or increase fire threats to communities.

Unfortunately, the wild areas of our national forests are again in jeopardy. The Bush administration has suspended the rule and is weighing the future of these pristine lands, with a decision expected soon. Despite the fact that 1.6 million people commented on the proposal to protect these areas, with 95 percent supporting strong protection, the administration is considering overturning the final rule and replacing it with hollow language that would provide little if any protection.

It's time again for the American people to contact their representatives in Congress and the White House and remind them that the protection of the last of the best of our national forests is a priority. Those who seek to exploit these public lands for private gain have gotten the president’s ear. Only if the public speaks out strongly, and soon, will these wild areas have a chance to remain intact. Call or fax the President at the White House: Phone: 202.456.1414, fax, 202.456.2461.

(Peter Baker is a region and forest organizer for the Sierra Club. He lives in Asheville and can be reached at peter baker@ sierraclub.org.)

 

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The Smoky Mountain News