Tuesday, by a vote of 283 to 145, the House of Representatives passed the Andrews/Chabot Tongass subsidy amendment, marking a victory for our country's largest national forest and the American taxpayer. This vote was the third time that the House has passed the measure, but never before has it received such a sweeping, bipartisan show of support. The amendment - offered to the Interior Appropriations bill by Reps. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) and Steve Chabot (R-OH) - was designed to stop taxpayer dollars from being used to build new logging roads in the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest intact temperate rainforest. In the upcoming months, the Tongass subsidy measure will also have to meet approval from the Senate. Congressman Boswell did Not support the amendment - we need to express disappointment about his vote. We'd really like to get an idea of what his concerns on this amendment are. His Environment staffer is Alexis Taylor and her email is [log in to unmask] It would be good to contact her on this. Jane Clark FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 27, 2007 Contact: Lois Norrgard Tel: 952-881-7282 or Email: [log in to unmask] U.S. House Votes to Limit Tongass Roads to Nowhere Subsidies Taxpayers and America's Rainforest in Alaska Protected WASHINGTON, DC- In a strong show of bipartisanship, last night the House of Representatives voted to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for logging roads in the Tongass National Forest. The amendment to the FY2008 Interior Appropriations bill, sponsored by Reps. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) and Steve Chabot (R-OH), won by a comfortable margin of 283 to 145. The amendment is supported by a broad coalition of taxpayer and budget watchdog groups, sportsmen and conservationists. "This is a terrific victory for America's Rainforest and America's taxpayers," said Lois Norrgard, Alaska Wilderness League, Upper Midwest office. "The Tongass is home to one of the government's most ridiculous subsidies - tens of millions of dollars are wasted each year on roads to nowhere that are only used to clearcut the world's largest remaining coastal temperate rainforest." The cost to the American taxpayer for logging in the Tongass National Forest has topped $1 billion since 1982. According to an independent analysis of Forest Service records, the Tongass timber program has operated at an average loss of $40 million each year. "Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot designed flexibility into the National Forest System" stated Jay Bellinger, retired manager, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and board member of Wildlife Forever. "The greatest good for the greatest number over the long run was their goal. In the 21st century on Alaska's Tongass National Forest, the greatest good results from keeping all high quality fish and wildlife areas intact for future generations of outdoor recreators. By contrast, a taxpayer subsidy to clearcut the Tongass's remaining roadless watersheds violates Roosevelt and Pinchot's intent." This victory follows the close of a public comment period on a revision of Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP). The agency received over 100,000 comments in opposition to their "proposed action" in the draft plan which leaves open to clearcutting most of the roadless areas which contain old-growth forest and projects building more than 4,300 miles of new logging roads. According to Forest Service estimates, Tongass logging roads costs between $160,000 and $500,000 per mile to construct. The Tongass National Forest is this country's largest national forest and the world's last intact temperate rainforest. Centuries-old trees provide critical habitat for wolves, grizzly bears, wild salmon, bald eagles and other wildlife that have disappeared from many other parts of the country. During the last 45 years, the Alaska timber industry has logged over 1 million acres of Southeast Alaska's old-growth forest. "The leadership provided by Reps. Andrews and Chabot was invaluable," said Cindy Shogan, Executive Director of the Alaska Wilderness League. "Americans and Tongass wildlife owe them a great thanks." In Iowa, Representatives' Braley and Loebsack supported the amendment. About Alaska Wilderness League - Your Land. Your Voice. Alaska Wilderness League's mission is to lead the effort to preserve Alaska's wilderness by engaging citizens, sharing resources, collaborating with other organizations, educating the public, and providing a courageous, constant and victorious voice for Alaska in the nation's capital. It is the only organization dedicated solely to the preservation of Alaska's wilderness in the nation's capital. About Wildlife Forever. Wildlife Forever is a national nonprofit conservation organization headquartered in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. The mission of Wildlife Forever is "to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat, and management of fish and wildlife." As the nonprofit conservation arm of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club, Wildlife Forever represents the wildlife conservation interests of 1.3 million outdoor enthusiasts. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/