Millions of Acres of National Forests Open to Clear-cutting and Drilling
December 3, 2008
The Ninth Circuit Court today ruled in favor of a Bush administration initiative, opening millions of acres of National Forest land to logging and oil and gas development, including clear-cutting and drilling on undeveloped, roadless forest acreage.
Statement of Christy Goldfuss, Environment America:
“From the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians, 13-1/2 million acres of America’s last pristine national forests lost their protections today. Whether you care about the elk, grizzlies, and bald eagles that call these roadless forests home, the water quality protected by pristine wilderness, or the recreational opportunities that wild lands provide, this is a sad day for America’s forests.
“Today’s Ninth Circuit Court decision is the culmination of an eight year campaign by the Bush administration to open the last completely undeveloped, roadless forests to logging and oil and gas development. In yet another parting gift to Big Oil, the Bush administration will be able to allow hundreds of oil and gas leases that have been sold since 2001 to go forward. It’s shameful that in our last wild forests the Bush legacy will be one of chainsaws, drills, and bulldozers.”
Environment America is a federation of state-based, citizen-funded environment groups working for clean air, clean water, and open space. www.environmentamerica.org
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