May 4, 2004
Contact: Michael Fiorentino
(215) 567-4004 ext. 238

Bush Administration Backtracks on Roadless Forest Promise
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Goes Back on Pledge to Uphold the Roadless Rule; Puts 25,000 Acres in Allegheny National Forest at Risk

HARRISBURG, PA - Conservationists blasted U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman today for going back on a promise to uphold the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, saying that the rule is essential to protect 58.5 million acres of pristine national forest land from commercial logging and road-building, including 25,000 acres in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest.

"Exactly three years ago today, Secretary Veneman promised to keep the roadless rule intact. She has since gone back on her word and is moving forward with plans opening up roadless areas to logging and drilling-completely ignoring the millions of Americans who have written in asking that the roadless rule be preserved," said Michael Fiorentino, Senior Attorney for Clean Air Council. "This outrageous change of policy threatens much of the remaining pristine area in Pennsylvania and across the country."

On May 4, 2001, Veneman appeared at a press conference with U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, saying, "We're here today to announce the department's decision to uphold the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Through this action, we are reaffirming the Department of Agriculture's commitment to the important challenge of protecting roadless values."

Since that time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which oversees the Forest Service) has done much to weaken the effectiveness of the roadless rule. On December 23, 2003, it exempted Alaska's Tongass Rainforest from the rule. During testimony before the House Resources Committee on March 2, 2004, Chief Bosworth indicated that additional nationwide changes to the rule would be announced this spring.

"It took a lot of gall for Secretary Veneman to come to Allegheny National Forest on Earth Day and claim that the Bush administration wants to protect forests. Everything her office has done threatens to open up national forests to unhealthy amounts of logging and drilling," said James Kleisser, Forest Watch Director for Allegheny Defense Project. "The roadless rule protects some of the last-remaining pristine areas in the Allegheny. It's a crime that the Forest Service is willing to destroy these crucial wilderness areas for the short-term gain of a few timber and energy giants."

Over 60,000 Pennsylvanians have submitted official comments on the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. In January 2004, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell asked the Bush Administration to keep the rule in tact. Polling conducted in March 2003 by The Mellman Group on behalf of National Environmental Trust shows that 64% of Pennsylvanians support plans to protect wild areas in national forest lands from logging, mining, road building and drilling; only 22% oppose such plans.

"It should come as no surprise that Pennsylvanians support policies to protect America's national forests," said Fiorentino. "More than 1.5 million people visit Allegheny National Forest each year. Weakening the roadless rule would threaten the best hiking, camping, hunting and fishing opportunities that the forest provides-not to mention critical habitat for Pennsylvania's wildlife."

"It's time to start thinking about the environmental legacy we're going to leave to our children," said Kleisser. "Secretary Veneman should keep her promise to uphold the roadless rule. The last undeveloped areas of the Allegheny and other national forests should be protected for the benefit of all Americans, both now and into the future."

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