Contact: Bill Kresnak
August 31, 2001
Phone: (614) 856-1900
For Immediate Release
Fax: (614) 856-1920

Comment Deadline Approaching on National Forest Plan

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The Bush administration is seeking public comment by September 10 on former President Clinton's controversial plan that bans road construction and reconstruction on almost 60 million acres of national forest land, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The administration is seeking comments on 10 questions regarding management of this vast area of public land, as large as the state of Wyoming. Officials want the public's opinion on such issues as what activities should be allowed on the land, whether it should be proposed for very strict Wilderness rules that would ban virtually all recreation, and how the U.S. Forest Service can effectively work with groups that have competing views on managing the land.

This is part of Bush's reconsideration of Clinton's Roadless Initiative, the plan the AMA dubbed "Wilderness Lite" because of its potential to impose the strict rules of Wilderness designation without public debate.

After intense efforts by the AMA and other groups last year, the final version of that plan recognized motorized recreation as a legitimate use of the land. However, the Bush administration pledged to seek more public comments on how government should manage the land.

Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, says it's critical for off-highway motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle riders and anyone else interested in outdoor recreation to urge federal officials to maintain recreational access to these lands, which contain many miles of dirt roads and trails.

"Let federal officials know that you want recreational opportunities to continue to be allowed on the affected land," Moreland said. "Tell them that the demand for motorized and other recreation is growing, and, at the same time, the supply of land available for multiple-use activities continues to decline because of special designation and development. Tell federal officials that, clearly, there is a need for lands managed as roadless to provide for recreational opportunities."

You can let federal officials know how you feel by going to the AMA's website at www.AMADirectlink.com and then clicking on the Rapid Response Center logo. There, you'll find information on the questions being asked, and answers to send via e-mail.

You can also send written comments to U.S. Forest Chief Dale Bosworth, Roadless ANPR Comments, P.O. Box 221090, Salt Lake City, UT 84122.