Here's the Governator's stance on the Roadless Rule revisions allowed by Bush's modifications to the Clinton-era policy:
Consistent with his strong commitment to protecting California’s environment, Gov. Schwarzenegger today filed a petition with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture beginning the process to permanently protect 21 percent of California’s 18 national forests. Specifically, his petition would keep 4.4 million acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas off limits to any further development.
“Preserving and protecting California’s environment for future generations is a top priority for my administration,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “Today, we are taking action to keep our pristine forests roadless and in their natural state. It is critical that we safeguard these areas. They are home to plants and animals at risk of extinction, provide incredible recreation and are the source of drinking water for millions of Californians.”
The Governor announced the petition at a press conference at the Capitol. Joining the Governor were local and environmental leaders including: Carl Zichella, Regional Staff Director for the Sierra Club; Sam Davidson, Trout Unlimited; Dan Jacobson, Legislative Director for Environment California and Mary Wells, Executive Director of California Wilderness Coalition and Chair of the California Wild Heritage Campaign.
In conjunction with the Governor’s petition, the Resources Agency is appealing the four Southern California forest plans concurrent with the filing of the Governor’s roadless petition. These plans permit some road building in Inventoried Roadless Areas and are inconsistent with ongoing agreements between the state and federal government over how these lands should be managed. In its appeals, the administration is requesting that the U.S. Forest Service revise these plans to make them consistent with the management requirements in the Governor’s roadless petition.
The Governor’s roadless petition is the formal document that follows through on his commitment in May 2005 that “roadless areas in California will remain roadless.” The thirteen page petition outlines specific policies to keep roadless areas in their natural state for future generations.
In May 2005, the federal government repealed the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protected these areas. In its place, the federal government established a new rule under which states could petition the federal government for state-specific rules.
If approved by the federal government, the Governor’s petition will permanently protect forest lands by preventing the building of all new roads, except for those needed for public health or safety purposes such as forest fire prevention. Exceptions will also be made to fulfill obligations for existing leases or rights, with the understanding that land will be returned to its natural state after the need for the road has been fulfilled.
“This Roadless Plan is fitting for a state that is the birthplace of the conservation movement,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “It will honor our environmental heritage, preserve our resources, protect our forests and leave the people of California an unmatched natural inheritance.”
Consistent with his strong commitment to protecting California’s environment, Gov. Schwarzenegger today filed a petition with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture beginning the process to permanently protect 21 percent of California’s 18 national forests. Specifically, his petition would keep 4.4 million acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas off limits to any further development.
“Preserving and protecting California’s environment for future generations is a top priority for my administration,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “Today, we are taking action to keep our pristine forests roadless and in their natural state. It is critical that we safeguard these areas. They are home to plants and animals at risk of extinction, provide incredible recreation and are the source of drinking water for millions of Californians.”
The Governor announced the petition at a press conference at the Capitol. Joining the Governor were local and environmental leaders including: Carl Zichella, Regional Staff Director for the Sierra Club; Sam Davidson, Trout Unlimited; Dan Jacobson, Legislative Director for Environment California and Mary Wells, Executive Director of California Wilderness Coalition and Chair of the California Wild Heritage Campaign.
In conjunction with the Governor’s petition, the Resources Agency is appealing the four Southern California forest plans concurrent with the filing of the Governor’s roadless petition. These plans permit some road building in Inventoried Roadless Areas and are inconsistent with ongoing agreements between the state and federal government over how these lands should be managed. In its appeals, the administration is requesting that the U.S. Forest Service revise these plans to make them consistent with the management requirements in the Governor’s roadless petition.
The Governor’s roadless petition is the formal document that follows through on his commitment in May 2005 that “roadless areas in California will remain roadless.” The thirteen page petition outlines specific policies to keep roadless areas in their natural state for future generations.
In May 2005, the federal government repealed the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protected these areas. In its place, the federal government established a new rule under which states could petition the federal government for state-specific rules.
If approved by the federal government, the Governor’s petition will permanently protect forest lands by preventing the building of all new roads, except for those needed for public health or safety purposes such as forest fire prevention. Exceptions will also be made to fulfill obligations for existing leases or rights, with the understanding that land will be returned to its natural state after the need for the road has been fulfilled.
“This Roadless Plan is fitting for a state that is the birthplace of the conservation movement,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “It will honor our environmental heritage, preserve our resources, protect our forests and leave the people of California an unmatched natural inheritance.”