Pelosi: 'Bush Administration Has Not Even Tried to Hide Contempt for Roadless Rule'

January 12, 2004

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the third anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule:

“Three years ago today, in response to overwhelming public demand, the Clinton Administration prohibited road construction on 59 million pristine acres of our national forests. The rule was a victory for the environment, designed to preserve old growth forests, drinking water sources, ecosystems, wildlife, and recreation areas.

“The Bush Administration, however, has not even tried to hide its contempt for the roadless rule and for preserving these environmental treasures. Two days before Christmas, while Americans were busy preparing for the holidays, the Bush Administration stealthily exempted the Tongass National Forest in Alaska from the roadless rule. The Tongass is the largest remaining stand of old growth rainforest in the United States, but the Bush Administration decided yet again to put corporate interests ahead of the public interest by opening the Tongass to timber companies.

“Quietly but quickly, President Bush continues to roll back 30 years of bipartisan environmental progress. At every turn, the President and his Republican allies in Congress are assaulting the laws that protect our air, our water, our lands, and our wildlife. Democrats will continue to fight for the roadless rule and other common sense environmental policies that protect our precious natural resources for our children and grandchildren.”

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