2001 RESOLUTIONS
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RESOLUTION
#5: ROADLESS AREA CONSERVATION POLICY
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| A sweeping change to
federal management and protection of our national forests was entered
into the Federal Register on January 5th, 2001 which protected
remaining roadless areas. This decision resulted from a
culmination of federal and private scientific studies and the work of
many private citizens and environmental groups. An unprecedented
public hearing process supported the decision. |
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| Over 1.6 million Americans
commented on the policy. With this exceptional public forum, the
decision process provided more than ample opportunity for hearing and
considering all views affecting the decision. An overwhelming
majority of comments were in favor of complete and permanent protection
of all remaining roadless area in our national forests. |
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| Now the current
administration, despite past pledges, has failed to adequately defend
the Roadless Area Conservation Policy in court; and, in fact is
planning to reopen the decision making process. The expressed
intent is to alter the policy that so many Americans have worked for
and support. This is a blatant attempt to overrule the
conservation wishes of a vast majority in favor of a very narrow
minority of interests, primarily in logging and mining
industries. At taxpayer expense, these industries have profited
from favored and subsidized access to public lands and now have a
disproportionate influence on our public land policy. |
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| The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs: |
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| 1) opposes reopening the
comment or hearing process for the ROADLESS AREA CONSERVATION POLICY,
Record of Decision, as published in the Federal Register on January
5th, 2001. The F.W.O.C. endorses the policy and calls upon the
current federal administration to enthusiastically defend all legal
challenges to the decision. We urge the administration to
disregard influence of narrow financial interests and to act for the
well being and health of our national forests that so many Americans
support. We expect the administration to comply with the decision
and to fully support its implementation. |
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| 2) urges its member clubs
and members to contact their elected representatives to express support
for the Roadless Policy Decision as it stands and to oppose any
changes. Please write to your elected officials, the U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture, and Chief, U.S.. Forest Service, Dale
Bosworth, as well as contacting local forest service supervisors. |
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