Paving the Road to "Wildlands"

Washington, D.C. - The Forest Service recently announced there would be a moratorium suspending all road construction in roadless sections and other "special areas" in the National Forest System for the next 18 months. Eliminating access to these areas shuts out all natural resource industries and recreational groups.

Early estimations indicate the policy could triple the amount of wilderness in the Forest System while the timber industry will lose an estimated $800 million in timber sales scheduled in roadless areas for 1998-99 alone.
Previously roaded areas will also be affected as the rule also applies to other "special areas" which have been determined by the Regional Forester to have "unique ecological or social values."

Eliminating access combined with the push for ecosystem management, sustainable development, and the elimination of property rights, is a clear indication this policy is paving the way for "The Wildlands Project."
The comment period ended on Feb. 27th.
(from Liberty Matters News Service, 2/9/98)