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 One of the most controversial environmental policies of the Bush administration suffered a blow in September, when federal
district court Judge Elizabeth Laporte reinstated protections for nearly 60 million acres of pristine national forest land.
The “Roadless Rule,” as it came to be known, protects the remaining pristine areas within iconic national forests like the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and Maine, the Siskiyou-Rogue River National Forest in Oregon, and the Chatahoochee National Forest in Georgia. These areas have no roads, and retain their unique character because they are off-limits to developers, logging trucks and mining operations.
President Clinton signed the Roadless Rule in 2001. When the Bush administration repealed the rule shortly after taking office in 2001, it replaced the policy with an unwieldy, unscientific and unpopular plan that passed the buck to state governors. They could either petition to protect the forests or open them to logging, drilling or other forms of development.
In coalition with environmental groups, local conservation organizations, recreational businesses owners and scientists, we mobilized public opposition, and convinced individual state governors to protect roadless areas in their states’ national forests. Environment Maine Research & Policy Center convinced Gov. Baldacci to pledge to protect these wild forests and to file an amicus brief on the lawsuit.
While the court’s decision is a victory for those who worked on the campaign and the millions of people that enjoy these pristine places, the Bush administration will likely appeal the decision.
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