I missed seeing this when it came across -- but thought you might be
interested to read REP's view of the Forest Rule.
Jane Clark

REP America Disappointed by Forest Rule Injunction
From: REP America
Friday, May 11, 2001

SEATTLE -
REP America Disappointed by Forest Rule Injunction

REP America, the national grassroots organization of Republicans for
environmental protection, is disappointed by the court injunction blocking
the roadless forest lands conservation rule, but is hopeful the popular
policy will be upheld on appeal.

"The roadless area conservation rule is good for America. It would conserve
a significant portion of our vanishing natural heritage, protect clean
drinking water, and stop the gouging of taxpayers for roads the Forest
Service cannot afford to maintain," said Jim DiPeso, REP America's
communications director. "We strongly urge the Bush administration to appeal
the injunction and to vigorously defend the rule."

The rule, which would protect 58.5 million acres of the public's forests,
was finalized after record-breaking public input, including more than 600
hearings held across America and 1.6 million written comments. More than 90
percent of the comments favored protection, and polls showed that
overwhelming majorities of citizens (including 64 percent of Republicans)
favored protection.

"During the rulemaking process, there were abundant opportunities for all
citizens to participate. The national forests are the heritage of every
American. Local input is important, but is not superior to other input. The
millions of Americans who live afar from the national forests should not be
treated as second-class citizens when it comes to managing the national
forests," DiPeso said.

Protecting roadless areas is a good deal for the taxpayers. With an $8.4
billion maintenance backlog, the Forest Service cannot afford to maintain
its existing network of 386,000 miles of roads, let alone new roads. "We
cannot understand why anyone in a conservative administration would want to
increase taxpayer costs and liability by building roads in the national
forests. Why should American taxpayers bear the cost of roads that benefit
private interests, primarily the timber, mining and oil and gas industries?"
DiPeso said.

"Protecting roadless areas of our national forests is in the public
interest. We call on the Bush administration to defend the conservation rule
and do right by the land," DiPeso said.

CONTACT

Jim DiPeso
253-740-2066
[log in to unmask]

Find out more about REP America's position on roadless lands conservation by
visiting http://www.repamerica.org

For more information, contact:
Jim DiPeso
Communications Director
REP America
253-740-2066
[log in to unmask]
Web site: http://www.repamerica.org

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