Political Quotes

“As an urban resident, let me just say that national forests are really national property and belong as much to my constituents and to me as to anyone else. The roadless rule was the most popular Federal rule in history. Wiping it out is just downright wrong. Once this wilderness is gone, we will never get it back. Extending the roadless rule also means protecting clean drinking water, preserving habitat and safeguarding recreational opportunities. Preserving roadless areas also helps prevent incredibly damaging forest fires that we have witnessed in recent years in California and elsewhere in the West. Forest studies show that fires are twice as likely to occur in areas with roads and areas that have been logged in these roadless areas, and under existing rules we can still practice fire management. That is exactly what we should be doing, practicing responsible fire management. There have to be a few places left for our children and our grandchildren that are unpaved. Our public lands really are under siege.”