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| Ponderosa pines in Caton Lake Roadless on Payette NF, nine years after prescribed fire – Photo courtesy of John McCarthy/ TWS |
Last week, conservationists gathered in our nation’s capital to toast 10 years of Roadless Forests. They were marking the anniversary of a key piece of legislation that has helped to safeguard our public woodlands. Unfortunately, the Bush administration continues to try to erode these protections, so there’s still work to do.
Below is an excerpt from the news release on The Wilderness Society Web site. Besides the full article with complete details of the event, you can listen to a recording of the teleconference, view high-resolution images such as the one above, and get much more information.
Conservationists Celebrate 10-Year Roadless Forests Anniversary
Panel heralds benefits, discuss attacks on policy protecting 58.5 million acres of wildernessWASHINGTON (January 22, 2008) - A panel of speakers headed by former U.S. Forest Service Chief Michael Dombeck today celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule - heralding the environmental, recreational and business impact of a rule that protects nearly 60 million acres of wilderness but still faces a variety of legal challenges.
“In spite of seven years of Bush administration effort, roadless areas remain protected in the National Forests of the lower 48 states, but more litigation to remove protection is in progress with the outcome uncertain,” said Mike Dombeck, the architect of the roadless policy who is now a professor of global conservation at the University of Wisconsin.
Dombeck added that the rule has played a key role in protecting wildlife habitat, preserving clean drinking water, providing recreational opportunities for people, and providing a defense against global warming. The highly popular policy has also kept nearly all the lands free from energy development, mining, logging, and roadbuilding.
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