A federal appeals court today upheld the Clinton-era Roadless Rule, which prohibits roads on nearly 60 million acres Forest Service land throughout the US. This ruling marks a significant — and possibly the final — milestone in the decade-long battle to defend the rule.
The Roadless Rule came out of the most extensive public process in federal rulemaking history but, despite being wildly popular, was almost immediately attacked by the incoming Bush administration and its allies in the timber industry.
The Conservation Alliance funded several organizations for their work to defend the rule, including Portland-based Oregon Wild. Here is a quote from Oregon Wild's press release celebrating the court decision:
"10 years ago, Oregonians led the charge to protect our last pristine wildlands. These precious wild areas provide clean drinking water, habitat for abundant wildlife, and economic drivers for a thriving outdoor recreation economy. People don’t buy KEEN shoes or Columbia jackets to go hike the clear-cuts. They are part of what make Oregon such a great place to live, work, and raise a family."