TU's Statement on USDA Undersecretary’s Remarks Regarding Efforts to Establish A Facilitated Dialogue on Forest Service Roadless Policy

Contact:
Steve Moyer , Vice President for Conservation Programs, Trout Unlimited (703) 284-9406
Vice President for Conservation Programs
Trout Unlimited
(703) 284-9406

11/8/2001 -- Arlington, VA -- 

Late yesterday, in testimony before the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, USDA Undersecretary Mark Rey announced an agreement to establish a facilitated dialogue to resolve issues related to the Forest Service's roadless policy. Trout Unlimited (TU) is a part of the Forest Roads Working Group, an ad hoc coalition, comprised of fish and wildlife conservation groups, outdoor recreation businesses, and progressive members of the forest products industry, who believe in preserving roadless area values and characteristics.

The purpose of the dialogue is to bring roadless policy stakeholders together to resolve issues related to the roadless area rule and to protect the many ecological values roadless areas possess.

Trout Unlimited strongly believes that roadless areas in our national forests and grasslands are essential for the conservation and restoration of wild and native fish populations. They also provide habitat for important game and other imperiled wildlife species. TU considers the facilitated dialogue a useful opportunity to ensure that roadless area protection is not undermined by lawsuits or other administrative changes.

As stated in the Forest Road Working Group's comment letter to the Forest Service, TU believes that any changes to the roadless rule must be designed to "enhance existing roadless area values and characteristics." TU will continue to participate in this dialogue so long as that remains its purpose, and the Forest Service does not move forward with any projects that would otherwise compromise roadless areas and their ecological values.

Mission: Founded in 1959 in Grayling, Michigan, Trout Unlimited is the nation's leading

For more information: Chris Wood, TU's Watershed Programs Director, (703) 284-9403

Date: 11/8/2001