On Administration's New Forest Management Regulations

[texpatriot2004]

Statement of Robert Vandermark, Co-director, Heritage Forests Campaign, on Administration's New Forest Management Regulations

"The Bush Administration's revised National Forest Management Act (NFMA) regulations issued today stacks the decks in favor of the timber industry who want easier access to old growth trees in our national forests. Combined with Administration's proposal to gut protections for pristine roadless areas, it is clear the President is intent on silencing the voices of scientists, conservationists and the public."

<snip>

"The Bush Administration would leave scientific review of logging projects to the discretion of local forest managers, making conservation optional rather than required. These changes take us back to the bad old days of unrestricted logging and mining on public lands. Further, these regulations will devastate irreplaceable habitat that provide recreational opportunities for millions of hikers, campers, fishermen and conservationists."

"It's no secret President Bush is catering to the timber industry's agenda when it comes to management of our national forests. Rather than continue to undermine national forest protections, the Administration should listen to the American public's calls for real forest protection."

The Heritage Forests Campaign is an alliance of conservationists, wildlife advocates, clergy, educators, scientists, and other Americans who are working together to uphold protection of our National Forests. Web: http://www.ourforests.org.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=40993

[texpatriot2004]

1. Every forest is in danger now

"...and this year their holiday target is even larger, encompassing virtually every National Forest acre in every state."

[cosmicdot]

2. related Boston Globe article

since these 'regulations' would change the guidelines set forth in the 1976 National Forest Management Act, wouldn't it require a bill legislated through Congress?
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

New forest plan would lessen restraints
By Matthew Daly, Associated Press Writer | December 22, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Managers of the nation's 155 national forests will have
more discretion to approve logging and other commercial projects
without lengthy environmental reviews under a new Bush administration
initiative, The Associated Press has learned.

The long-awaited rules overhaul application of the landmark 1976
National Forest Management Act, which sets guidelines for managing
191 million acres of national forests and grasslands and protecting
wildlife there.

~snip~

The plan includes some of the most contentious parts of an earlier
proposal. Like that version, the final plan gives regional forest
managers more discretion to approve logging, drilling and mining
operations without having to conduct formal scientific investigations
known as environmental impact statements.

~snip~

Environmentalists also said they were troubled the plan relaxes a
requirement to protect fish and wildlife in national forests so
species do not become threatened or endangered. Instead, the rules
assert an overarching goal to "maintain healthy, diverse and
resilient" ecosystems and species native to forest lands.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2004/12/22/new_f
orest_plan_would_lessen_restraints/

http://makeashorterlink.com/?I4CD5161A

[enough]

3. kick

too furious to think of anything to say