Ignoring nearly 4 million comments in opposition to its plan and undoubtedly exacerbating the more than $10 billion maintenance backlog on existing National Forest roads, the Bush Administration today announced its final decision to pave the way for extensive road building in pristine forests areas, charged U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV).
"Our National Forests provide cherished recreational opportunities for Americans, but this rule change puts that at risk. Today’s announcement begs the question how the government can play catch up on the more than $10 billion backlog of capital improvements and maintenance needed on existing roads," stated Rahall, the Ranking Democrat on the House Resources Committee which has jurisdiction over National Forests and forest health issues.
The new rule governing the management of approximately 59 million acres of roadless areas within the National Forest System would overturn the widely popular so-called "roadless rule". The Roadless Area Conservation Rule was established in 2001 to protect about one-third of the acreage in National Forests from most logging and road building, and to help preserve hunting and fishing habitat for outdoor recreationists.
The 380,000 miles of current roads in the National Forests is double the number of miles in the entire National Highway System. While originally built for timber harvesting, these roads now serve as vital arteries for rural America, linking small towns and businesses.
"The Forest Service has demonstrated that it cannot stretch its funds to address all its road maintenance responsibilities. To recklessly add to its infrastructure burden is not sound business policy," stated Rahall.
The new rule will create a patchwork of policies premised on allowing the preferences of State governors to determine road construction policies in the forests, while granting States a free pass from chipping in for their construction and maintenance costs.
"The National Forests are a federal responsibility, but this policy allows governors a seat at the table, and then sticks the Federal government with the bill for maintaining these roads," said Rahall.
Three years ago, Agriculture Secretary Veneman promised to uphold the "roadless rule" after it was put in place, generating 2.5 million public comments to protect one-third of the National Forests. Attorney General John Ashcroft also promised to defend the rule during his Senate confirmation hearing.
Since the Administration released its draft roadless rule in July 2004, the Forest Service has received more than 1.7 million comments in opposition.
"It is stunning how this Administration appears to think it can evade accountability for its manhandling of not only our National Forests, but also the right to have taxpayer voices influence public land management decisions," concluded Rahall.
![[New for the Democrats - Committee on Resources - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, Ranking Democrat - 1329 Longworth HOB - Washington, DC 20015]](news_banner.gif)
