U.S. Representative Diana DeGette On California Court Roadless Rule Decision

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) responded to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California decision today to reinstate Clinton-era protections of 58.5 million acres of national forests.

"Today's decision is a major victory for our nation's forests. Because of this ruling, millions of Americans will still be able to enjoy these pristine areas," said Rep. DeGette.

Today's court ruling reinstates President Clinton's Roadless Area Conservation Rule which protects about one-third of the acreage in National Forests from most logging and road building. The Bush Administration's policy overturned the popular roadless rule and opened the National Forests to extensive road building. The Administration's plan would have created a patchwork of policies allowing State governors to determine road construction priorities in National forests.

"The court ruled against the Bush Administration because they failed to follow our common sense environmental laws," said Rep. DeGette. "Once again our courts ensured that our environmental laws do exactly what they are supposed to do, protect our environment."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/roadlessrule.html