Cantwell Disappointed by Ashcroft's Broken Promise to Defend the Roadless Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell today expressed her frustration with the U.S. Department of Justice's failure to appeal a Wyoming Court decision overturning the U.S. Forest Service's Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
“I am disappointed that the Administration has abdicated its responsibility to vigorously defend an existing federal regulation,” said Cantwell. “I am especially disappointed with Attorney General Ashcroft, who pledged to me that, if confirmed, he would defend laws and regulations on the books.”
When asked by Cantwell during his confirmation hearing if he would uphold the Forest Service's Roadless rule, Ashcroft replied that it would be “[his] responsibility to defend both the laws and the rules and regulations, and it is [his] understanding that it would be [his] responsibility to defend these regulations upon it if and when they are attacked.”
Ashcroft repeated this pledge in subsequent meetings and phone calls with Cantwell.
The Department of Justice's failure to appeal U.S. District Judge Brimmer's decision means tens of millions of acres of pristine forests and grasslands are now open to road building, logging, and other forms of development.
Cantwell stated, “Although these roadless areas represent less than two percent of our nation's landscape, they protect vital watersheds that supply clean drinking water for millions of Americans. In addition they provide safe harbor for a diverse set of fish and wildlife species, including threatened and endangered species.”
In Washington state alone there are 2,015,000 acres of National Forest system lands that qualify for protection as Roadless areas.
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