12.12.02

Cantwell: 9th Circuit decision on Roadless Area Conservation Rule

SEATTLE, WA - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Senate's main champion of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, made the following statement on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision allowing the Roadless Rule to take effect:

"This ruling is a huge victory for sound forest management and the preservation of our national forests for future generations.

"This ruling tells the Bush Administration that it cannot arbitrarily bypass rules it doesn't like; rules must be written in the light of day and with input from all of the public."

Since taking office, Cantwell has tenaciously fought for implementation of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. At his confirmation hearing, Cantwell questioned Attorney General John Aschroft about the Roadless Rule, and he assured her that he would vigorously defend any federal rule that has the force of law. When the Administration attempted to change the rule, illegally bypassing normal procedures in 2001 and failed to defend the rule from legal challenges, Cantwell fought its efforts with letters, phone calls, and hearings.

Ultimately, the Administration conceded that the rule had the force of law and could only be changed through the Administrative Procedures Act. In July 2002, Cantwell and Senator John Warner (R-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation that would codify the rule.