BLUE RIBBON COALITION, INC.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Don Amador
Phone: (925) 625-6287 Office
Date: February 16, 2000

CLINTON’S EFFORT TO CLOSE 400,000 ACRES OF
MULTIPLE-USE LANDS TO GENERAL PUBLIC IS FLAWED

POCATELLO, ID -- The Blue Ribbon Coalition is concerned about Clinton’s recent letter to Secretary of Agriculture, Daniel Glickman, asking him to set aside almost 400,000 acres of multiple-use lands in the Sequoia National Forest.

Clinton appears to be, once again, using his powers under the Antiquities Act to enact a process that could have grave impacts to general public access in the Southern Sierra. Dispersed camping, hunting, fishing, and motorized recreation could be severely restricted or prohibited in this large region of forest lands.

Some question the need for this effort by Clinton when the several dozen groves of Giant Sequoias in the area have already been protected by President Bush’s Proclamation to protect said resources.

According to Don Amador, the western regional representative for the Blue Ribbon Coalition, “I feel this is just another attempt to bypass Congress and local governments by enacting quasi Wilderness designations using Presidential directives. This land is already protected and is operating under a 1988 collaborative plan developed by local interest groups and governments.”

“Clinton’s plan would give the Secretary of Agriculture broad powers to unilaterally close recreational roads, trails, and campgrounds to motorized users who depend on responsible access to our forest lands for a wide variety of outdoor experiences. This bypasses the more comprehensive and collaborative Forest Planning process that involves local users, businesses, recreationists, environmentalists, and governments.” Amador continues.

“Having attended a number of local Forest level ‘roadless’ meetings, I can tell you that Clinton is not making any points with local recreationists or cabin permit holders. Clinton’s continued effort to bolster the green vote for Al Gore will most certainly backfire on rural residents and forest users,” Amador concludes.