HERGER URGES EXEMPTION FROM
CLINTON-GORE ROADLESS PLAN FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FORESTS
Clinton-Gore
roadless plan is "short-sighted", believes Herger
January 19, 2000
(WASHINGTON, DC)
Congressman Herger contacted U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck requesting
an exemption from the Clinton-Gore Administration's roadless area proposal for
the forests encompassed by the Northwest Forest Plan and the ongoing Sierra
Nevada Framework. If implemented, the Clinton-Gore proposal could restrict
access to more than two million acres of Northern California
forests.
"The Clinton-Gore roadless area plan will severely hamper
Northern California's efforts to decrease fire danger and improve forest health
in our national forests," declared Herger. "Their plan is about leaving a
short-sighted personal legacy for their administration, not about leaving
healthy forests for future generations of Americans."
"The devastating
fires in Northern California this summer demonstrated that our National Forests
are threatened more than ever by catastrophic fire," Herger stated. "This
Clinton-Gore proposal will further limit our ability to take the preventative
measures necessary to reduce this extreme fire danger. It cost tens of millions
of dollars to put out these fires and puts innocent lives, homes and personal
property in grave danger.
"Further," Herger continued, "this plan could
deny Northern Californians access to our own national forests. It even has the
potential to halt maintenance of existing forest roads in areas used by the
public for a variety of recreational purposes. This roadless designation is not
a wise policy for Northern California forests."
"Government is better
when decisions are made with input from the local level," said Herger. "I
believe local decision-making should determine these issues; not Washington
mandates. That is why I have requested this exemption from the Forest
Service."
In some instances, the Forest Service has recognized the
importance of exempting some roadless areas from national policies where they
would unnecessarily duplicate and interfere with current forest plans or ongoing
planning processes.
A
copy of the Herger letter follows this release. (Go to
Letter)
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