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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]