A project of the Center for Environmental Citizenship...
Tell Veneman to stand with the American people and protect our roadless forests

January 12th marks the first anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. But instead of protecting 58.5 million acres of national wild heritage from roads, logging and development, the Bush Administration is doing its darndest to unravel the Rule. Tell them to listen to the will of the American people and fully implement the Rule.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Fully Implement the Roadless Rule

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As you are aware, January 12th is the one-year anniversary of the landmark Roadless Area Conservation Rule which was shaped by the greatest outreach in federal rulemaking history, including more than 2.2 million comments submitted by the American people. Although you promised to uphold this rule, you and Forest Chief Dale Bosworth instead have taken many steps to undermine it.

The Roadless Area Conservation Rule was adopted by the U.S. government after nearly three years of analysis and the historic input of the American public. It is a fair and balanced rule that preserves a vital piece of our natural heritage for our children and their children.

I urge you, Secretary Veneman, to stand with the American people and fully implement the January 12, 2001 Roadless Rule.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 11, 2002


Background Information

January 12th marks the first anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. But instead of protecting 58.5 million acres of national wild heritage from roads, logging and development, the Bush Administration is doing its darndest to unravel the Rule.

For those of you who may not remember -- after all it's been a long year -- the U.S. government adopted the Roadless Area Conservation Rule after the greatest public input in the history of federal rulemaking -- there were 600 hearings and 2.2 million comments. With nearly 60 million acres and 2 million comments, it's no wonder the Rule was widely hailed as one of the most significant conservation achievements of the past century.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration isn't that impressed. The administration made some mushy claims that it would uphold the rule and then proceeded to promptly impede its implementation at every turn. Through one obscure directive after another, the Bush Forest Service -- under the tutelage of Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman -- is steadily whittling away at the hard-fought protections in the Roadless Rule.

One year after the most significant conservation achievement in a hundred years, you'd think our National Forests would be safe. But as long as the administration believes that people aren't watching they remain at risk. You've said it once, you've said it 2.2 million times. And now it's time to say it again. Tell Secretary Veneman to stand with the American people and fully implement the Rule.

TAKE ACTION!