SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS Representing The Forestry Profession In America 5400 Grosvenor Lane · Bethesda, MD · 20814-2198 (301) 897-8720 · Fax (301) 897-3690 http://www.safnet.org/

President Clinton Announces Plan to Protect National Forest Roadless Areas Missed Opportunities Highlighted in New Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 1999

Contact: Michael T. Goergen, Jr. Director, Forest Policy (301) 897-8720, ext. 116 goergenm@safnet.org

(Bethesda, MD) Today's announcement on national forest roadless areas missed an opportunity to address a more pressing issue. "President Clinton did not provide the necessary focus on the critical road maintenance backlog. The moratorium was originally designed to focus on the issue, and the President's directive does little to address this very serious problem," said William H. Banzhaf, Executive Vice-President of the Society of American Foresters. Banzhaf continued by noting "This unilateral decision to prohibit road building on 40 million acres of national forest negates years of forest planning done with significant citizen input. The President's decision is contrary to this Administrations' emphasis on locally-based collaborative decisions."

For most of this Century the Forest Service has been the conservation leader of the world. Together with foresters from the private sector, academia and all levels of government, the Forest Service has demonstrated that forest management improves water quality, enhances wildlife habitat, offers recreational opportunities, and yet still provides forest products.

The President's decision only highlights that the Forest Service is an agency without a clear mandate. "The purpose of the 18-month road building moratorium was to decide what to do about an aging and neglected national forest road system. The decision does little to address existing roads, and does nothing to address the mission of one of the nation's premier natural resource management agencies. Announcements like this one highlight the need for a national dialogue on the purposes of the national forests," charged Banzhaf.

The Society of American Foresters represents more than 17,000 professional foresters and natural resource professional. It is the scientific and educational association representing the profession of forestry in the United States. The Society's primary objective is to advance the science, technology, education, and practice of professional forestry for the benefit of all society.

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