Stumping about Forestry
Presidential Candidates Discuss Views on Forest Roads

From the February 2000 issue of The Forestry Source

Vice-President Al Gore has come under attack during the presidential campaign for his support of President Clinton's forest roads initiative.

Presidential candidates were recently pulled into the debate over President Clinton's intent to place at least 40 million acres of roadless national forests off-limits to road building. Their remarks may be an early indicator of the candidates' views on forest issues.

Clinton directed the Forest Service to propose a rule to provide long-term protection for vast stretches of roadless areas in forests in 35 states, from the Appalachian Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada in the West. The proposed rule would ban road building in these areas, thus restricting timber harvesting and other activities. The Forest Service aims to issue the rule for public comment this spring and to adopt a final rule late this year.

In a January 6 debate at the University of New Hampshire, Democrats Bill Bradley and Al Gore stated sharply divergent views about the roadless area initiative. They were responding to a question from John DiStaso, political reporter from the Manchester Union Leader.

The issue is highly controversial in New Hampshire, the site of the nation's first primary on February 1, because it puts more of the sprawling White Mountain National Forest in northern New Hampshire and western Maine off-limits to harvesting. Many area residents earn a living in industries that depend on the timber output from the forest.

"This is an environmental question of local and national interest," said DiStaso. "Do you agree with President Clinton's order of last year that unilaterally limits logging on national forests, or do you agree with [New Hampshire] Governor Jeanne Shaheen that his order 'sets a terrible precedent for the governance of our national forests?'"

Gore defended the proposal, saying it "was a preliminary statement of intention to protect this land, and then have a process of consultation with the communities and the individuals who live near the areas to be protected."

"If areas of the [White Mountain] forest are protected under the new order, the same process of consultation that has been used in the past that gives individuals and communities input into the process will be a part of this process," said Gore. "People know this about me. I believe very strongly in protecting the environment. I know we can do it in a way that protects people's way of life and standards of living."

Bradley disagreed with Gore, saying, "I don't think a president should preempt the local planning process in the White Mountains."

"I think mixed use is the proper way to proceed in the White Mountains," said Bradley. "I think local decisionmaking is important, and mixed use is the way it should be. Not in all national forests, but I think that's a sound way to proceed."

Although he later backtracked from his position, Bradley seemed to agree with the only other major presidential candidate to address the roads issue. While campaigning in New Hampshire in late December, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that if elected president, he would overturn President Clinton's executive order.

McCain said his opposition to the order is not a criticism of the goal of protecting forests. Rather, he objected to Clinton's use of an executive order.

"The idea that Washington knows best and that local residents cannot be trusted to do what's right in their own backyard is the epitome of federal arrogance," said McCain.

The leading Republican candidate, Texas Governor George W. Bush, has yet to go on record regarding the roadless area initiative.

Click here to view SAF's position on roads in national forests.

 

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