Olympians Join Effort to End Bush Administration's Logging and Drilling Efforts

More than 250,000 Americans today formally petitioned the Bush administration to reinstate the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, and reverse one of the administration's most controversial environmental decisions.

The Forest Service adopted the Roadless Area Conservation Rule in January 2001, after the largest public involvement process in the history of federal rulemaking. The rule generally prohibited road construction and logging across 58.5 million areas--or about 30 percent of all national forest lands. President Bush suspended the rule within 24 hours of taking office and, in May 2005, repealed it. In its place, his administration set up a voluntary petition process, allowing governors to request protection of roadless areas within their states.

In an unprecedented move, conservationists, hunters ,shooters and concerned Americans, including more than 100 current and former Olympians are using a little known provision of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) to petition for a policy reversal.

The APA grants citizens the right to request the government to issue, amend or revoke federal rules. Backers say the unusual step was necessary after the Bush administration failed to honor the overwhelming public support for retaining the 2001 rule evidenced during a public comment period drive. Traditionally, citizen participation is limited to comments during rulemakings, but according to conservationists, the comments of 1.7 million Americans were disregarded by the Bush administration in their repeal of the rule.

In a letter to the Forest Service, over 100 local and national conservation groups who organized the drive demanded a response to the petition as required by law. The groups said the government not only ignored strong public support for the rule, but they have skirted federal environmental law. These legal violations are the subject of two lawsuits in federal court.

"The public deserves a lot of credit for stepping up to defend our roadless national forests," said Ray Schoenke, President of the American Hunters and Shooters Association. "While the administration has shut out millions of Americans who previously expressed support for protecting roadless areas, federal law requires it pay attention now."

Critics say the administration's substitute policy, which allows governors to submit plans for roadless areas in their states is unwieldy, causes uncertainty and is expensive. They also contend the process shuts out the views of sportsmen and sportswomen who do not live in states with roadless areas but who take advantage of some of our nations best hunting and fishing resources. The White House has also been criticized for proposing land sales and logging projects in roadless areas while claiming they are currently protecting our wild lands.

Senate bill S. 2364 has been introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell (WA) and Jeff Bingaman (NM) to codify the 2001 roadless rule into federal law. Last July, 145 members of Congress introduced HR 3563, a similar bill in the House. In addition, a federal suit has been filed on behalf of three state attorneys general and two governors from four western states -- California, New Mexico, Washington and Oregon - challenging the legality of the Bush policy. Montana and Maine joined last month filing a brief in support of the suit. A second legal challenge was also filed on behalf of 20 conservation groups.

One hundred thirty world-class athletes including over 100 current and former Olympians who hold 50 Olympic medals as a whole petitioned the administration. Among them was Chris Klug, an Aspen snowboarder and bronze medal winner from the 2002 games.

"I've spent countless hours carving lines down slopes and getting to know some of the most pristine forests our great country has to offer," said Klug. "That's why I've joined my fellow athletes and Americans in asking the government to not be shortsighted, and reinstate the Roadless Rule to protect our pristine forests for future generations."