Bush Administration Plan Would Open Six Million Acres of Pristine National Forests...

Bush Administration Plan Would Open Six Million Acres of Pristine National
Forests in Idaho to Mining and Logging

Poll finds majority of Idahoans oppose proposed development

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new poll released today finds
that a majority of Idaho voters oppose a Bush administration plan to open six
million acres, including areas in Idaho's Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, to
phosphate mining, commercial logging and energy exploration.

"In its final months, the Bush administration is attempting to give logging
and mining industries the keys to what is arguably some of the most
biologically diverse and valuable fish and wildlife habitat in the nation,"
said Robert Vandermark, manager of the Heritage Forests Campaign, a project of
the Pew Environment Group. "This is America's last forest frontier -- open
the door to industrial use and it could be gone forever."

On Monday, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, called the administration
proposal a "good plan," but raised issues regarding broad exceptions for
development that he hopes to address in tomorrow's Roadless Area Conservation
National Advisory Committee meeting. Risch previously committed to protecting
95% of the 9.3 million acres of national forest roadless lands in the state
from most new roads, logging and industrial development.

"We appreciate the lieutenant governor's request to have the Forest Service
fix the language, but we remain concerned about the inconsistencies between
what he promised and what the administration delivered," said Rick Johnson,
Executive Director of the Idaho Conservation League. "Idahoans want to see
Lieutenant Governor Risch honor his commitment to protect these pristine
forests."

The new poll, conducted by Moore Information, finds that 65% of Idaho voters
oppose a new Bush plan that would open up nearly two-third's of the state's
undeveloped national forest lands. Opposition is even more intense when it
comes to allowing industrial development on national forest roadless lands in
the state, with 76% believing that such activity should not be permitted,
including 60% who hold this view strongly. The poll also found that 62%
believe that the federal government should not reduce the current level of
protection, including the majority of the state's hunters.

"It is clear from the documents that the Forest Service wants additional
discretion to log, mine and build roads in Idaho's roadless areas," said James
Furnish, former deputy chief of the U.S. Forest Service. "This proposed
change to the rule is unnecessary, ill-advised and inconsistent with the
agreement reached with the State of Idaho."

"We may often disagree with some environmental organizations on many issues,
but regarding this Forest Service Plan, we share common concerns about
potentially negative wildlife impacts," said Jerry Bullock, president, Idaho
chapter, Safari Club International. "We are particularly concerned about the
impacts of proposed activities in Southeastern Idaho on the area's unmatched
wildlife habitat. Mule deer populations in the area are just now recovering
from historic lows brought on by drought, development and other factors. The
activities envisioned under this proposed rule could not only cut short that
recovery, but likely cause severe damage to elk herds as well."

To see the Moore Poll, please click here:
http://www.ourforests.org/pdf/summary-idaho-voters.pdf.

Analysis of the Proposed Rule by James Furnish:
http://www.ourforests.org/FurnishAnalysisFullFinal.pdf

For more information:
http://www.ourforests.org

SOURCE Pew Environment Group

Brandon MacGillis of the Heritage Forests Campaign, +1-202-887-8830; or Rick
Johnson of the Idaho Conservation League, +1-208-863-4099