|
|
POLICY & ADVOCACY: ISSUES: ROADLESS AREAS: ROADLESS RULE: ROADLESS
LEGISLATIONS
|
|
|
|
HOUSE AND SENATE INTRODUCE ROADLESS LEGISLATION |
|
|
|
Congress united in a bi-partisan effort to protect our national forest roadless
areas for future generations. In May 2007, more than 140 House Democrats and
Republicans introduced a bill (H.R. 2516) to provide permanent protection for
58.5 million acres of pristine forest land in 39 states. This includes 9.3
million acres of North America’s only coastal temperate rainforest - Alaska’s
Tongass National Forest. Eighteen Senators also introduced a bipartisan
companion bill (S. 1478) in the Senate.
|
|
|
|
The legislation is intended to finally turn the
landmark 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule into law. Ongoing legal battles
continue to threaten the fate of the 2001 Roadless Rule and the lands it
protects, which are critical to wildlife, backcountry recreation, and
downstream water quality.
|
|
|
|
The legislation would protect our remaining
roadless forests from most logging and road-building; however, the rule allows
new roads to be constructed in order to fight fires and ensure public health
and safety.
|
|
|
|
American Hiking has consistently supported the
protection of roadless areas. The legislation would not lead to the closure of
any existing roads. It would only prevent new roads from being built in the few
remaining special places in our nation that are currently roadless. American
Hiking is working with our partners in the Outdoor Alliance to promote roadless
protections and the management of existing roads in a responsible manner that
protects our forests and public access to hiking and recreational
opportunities.
|
|
|
|
Both the House and Senate bills need more
congressional support. Click on the graphic below to send a letter to your
Representative and Senators in support of roadless protections and the values
of roadless areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|