U.S. calls timeout on 'roadless' forest projects

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Washington Post

Posted on Fri, May. 29, 2009
U.S. calls timeout on 'roadless' forest projects
By David A. Fahrenthold

Washington Post

WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a temporary order yesterday governing development in "roadless" areas of national forests, requiring all new projects to be approved by him personally.

Vilsack's order, which will be in effect for a year, is the latest turn in an eight-year-old battle over 58.5 million acres of pristine woods. President Bill Clinton made these areas off-limits in 2001, but President George W. Bush effectively reopened some in 2005. That led to a series of court cases that ultimately replaced the national policy with a patchwork of regional rules.

Vilsack, whose purview includes the U.S. Forest Service, did yesterday what environmental groups had been urging: call a "timeout."

~snip~
Environmental groups say these areas serve as crucial natural filters for rivers and streams, key habitats for fish and animals such as grizzly bears, and "sinks" that take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Several applauded Vilsack's decision.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20090529_U_S__calls_timeout_on__roadless__forest_projects.html

[Lasher]

1. Good on Vilsack

And a fine example of why it's better to have Democrats running the Executive branch.