McKinney calls on the Bush
Administration to protect our
National Forests
June 5, 2002
(Decatur, GA) Congresswoman Cynthia
McKinney today added her voice to growing bipartisan
efforts to preserve the last remaining roadless
areas of our National Forests. McKinney along
with Representative John Lewis and others showed
their support by co-sponsoring the Roadless Area
Conservation Act, which was introduced by Representative
Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.).
This important piece of legislation would codify
the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a sweeping
conservation measure that received the public's
overwhelming response to protect the last of America's
wilderness.
"I am pleased to co-sponsor legislation that
provides refuge for wildlife and promotes ecological
sustainability. It is imperative that if we are
going to protect the habitat and natural environment
of countless species, it must be now, for tomorrow
may be too late. By enforcing the roadless rule,
millions of acres will be protected across the
nation, including over 60,000 acres in the Oconee
and Chatahoochee National Forests. These National
Forests are our natural heritage and must be preserved
as a legacy for future generations to enjoy,"
stated McKinney.
Previously, Representative McKinney has introduced
the National Forest Protection and Restoration
Act (H.R. 1494). This progressive bill would end
the subsidizing of logging in our National Forests
and redirect the subsidies that now pay for roads
and clearcutting to pay for ecological restoration,
research alternatives to wood and paper, and worker
retraining.
"I strongly believe that it is time we stopped
the timber lobbyists from taking advantage of
the American people. Sometimes it is in our best
interest to leave things in their natural state,"
concluded McKinney.