Laramie, WY—Conservationists today announced their opposition to the Bush Administration’s decision to strip protections for National Forest roadless areas. The Bush plan repeals the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which prohibited most road-building and resource extraction on 58.5 million acres of National Forests, including 3.2 million acres in Wyoming, only 5% of the state’s land base.

“Once again the Bush Administration has put a wonderful piece of Wyoming’s natural heritage at risk for short term industry profits,” said Jeremy Nichols with Biodiversity Conservation Alliance. “Yesterday, the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities of our wild forests provide were protected, but now these values are endangered.”

Under the Bush plan, state governors are required to petition the Forest Service with recommendations in order for roadless areas to be considered for protection. These petitions are nonbinding, and the Forest Service is free to accept, reject or modify them. During a public comment period held last fall, the American people submitted a record-breaking 1.75 million comments urging the Administration to abandon its plan and uphold the original Roadless Rule as promised four years ago this week. The total number of comments by the American people over the years in support of protecting roadless areas amounts to well over 4 million. Scientists, conservationists, economists, sportsmen, religious organizations, businesses, elected officials, and citizens from all walks of life submitted comments to the Forest Service last fall.

“The American people continue to overwhelmingly support a single national policy protecting all of our last wild forests,” said Nichols. “This new rule shows the Administration’s willingness to break promises, ignore public input, and shirk its responsibility to protect our National Forests for future generations in Wyoming.”

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. Over the years of development of this rule, the Forest Service received over 2.5 million comments in favor of the rule. The rule protected 58.5 million acres nationwide while allowing temporary road construction in order to fight wildfires, ensure public safety, and protect forest health.

For more information on roadless areas in Wyoming and other information regarding the Bush Administration's rule, visit www.voiceforthewild.org/roadless/index.html.