Sierra Club: Republicans Use Wildfire Bill to Advance Attack on Roadless National Forest Lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance legislation that would eliminate the Roadless Area Conservation Rule after Republicans attached a last-minute amendment to the previously bipartisan Wildfire Prevention Act. The amendment passed on a party-line vote and would strip protections from millions of acres of roadless national forest lands.

In response, Athan Manuel, Director of Sierra Club's Lands Protection Program, released the following statement:

"Yesterday, Senate Republicans voted to advance one of the biggest attacks on our national forests in decades. We are grateful to Senators Heinrich, Wyden, and other public lands champions for speaking out against this misguided effort and standing up for the millions of Americans who value our forests and public lands.

"For more than 20 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of our most important public lands, safeguarding clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, and some of the last remaining intact and old-growth forests in the country.

"This amendment has nothing to do with preventing wildfires. Instead, it would open millions of acres of public lands to new road construction and industrial development while saddling taxpayers with the costs. The Senate should reject this proposal and preserve the protections that have helped keep our national forests healthy, resilient, and accessible for future generations."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.