Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
Carly Ferro, carly.ferro@sierraclub.org, 801-467-9294
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Energy and Natural Resources Committee Member Senator Maria Cantwell and House Natural Resources Committee Member Representative Ruben Gallego today introduced the Roadless Area Conservation Act. The bill would permanently codify the Roadless Rule and strengthen protections for 58.5 million acres of pristine National Forest System lands across 39 states from logging and road building. Despite the Roadless Rule’s many successes and the millions of taxpayer dollars it saves, there have been multiple Congressional attempts to strip Roadless Rule protections from millions of acres of public lands. This effort by Representative Gallego and Senator Cantwell will ensure pristine National Forests for generations to come.
“We welcome action to permanently protect our country’s roadless forests and grasslands. Roadless forests are not just remote places on a map. They provide clean drinking water and nearby outdoor recreation opportunities for millions of people across the country. Our most sensitive wildlands deserve to be protected into the future,” said Kirin Kennedy, Sierra Club associate legislative director for lands and wildlife.
“Utah’s roadless areas cover 4-million acres of forests that span diverse ecosystems and play a pivotal role in safeguarding our drinking water, wildlife habitat, and unmatched recreational opportunities. We thank Representative Gallego and Senator Cantwell for taking progressive action to protect roadless areas in Utah and throughout the country. We cannot praise this move enough. While Utah’s leaders are attempting to remove nine percent of all inventoried roadless areas from protection and to weaken logging and road construction regulations for the lionshare, this act is a breath of fresh air and would ensure the quality of Utah's environment and economy," said Ashley Soltysiak, Utah Sierra Club Director.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.