Governor Gregoire Calls for Public Input to Protect Roadless Areas in National Forests

For Immediate Release: August 30, 2006

OLYMPIA - Governor Gregoire today announced that her office will conduct two informal, informational workshops to solicit public input on how to protect nearly 2 million acres of roadless areas on national forest lands in Washington.

�Roadless areas in Washington contribute to our quality of life and our economy by providing clean water, fish and wildlife habitat along with recreational and business opportunities,� said Governor Gregoire. �Washingtonians have twice spoken overwhelmingly in favor of their protection. I hope they continue to speak up on this important issue.�

When President Bill Clinton adopted the roadless rule in 2001, a public comment period yielded overwhelming support for the rule. Washingtonians submitted over 80,000 comments and of these, 96 percent supported complete protection of all roadless areas on national forest lands in the state. A public comment period in 2004 again reiterated strong support by Washingtonians for the 2001 rule.

In May 2005, the Bush administration repealed the rule and replaced it with one that asks Governors to petition the federal government for roadless area protection. Governor Gregoire is seeking public input before submitting a petition in November.

Governor Gregoire recognizes that many Washingtonians are interested in this statewide issue and she supports local collaborative forest planning efforts. She wants to hear from all interested citizens, including outdoor recreationalists, local governments, tribes, businesses, conservation organizations and others as she develops her petition.

There are three ways for the public to submit comments on how roadless areas should be protected:

1. Submit the �Washington Roadless Areas Comment Form� online.
   
   
2. Download the �Washington Roadless Areas Comment Form� from the Governor�s website, fill in and mail to:
   
   Roadless Areas Comments
   Governor�s Executive Policy Office
   PO Box 43113
   Olympia, WA 98504-3113
   
   
3. Attend one of the workshops in Olympia or Spokane and submit the comment form in person at the workshop.
   

The Office of the Governor and the Washington Departments of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife and Community Trade and Economic Development will host the workshops. Attendees will have an opportunity to review maps of Washington roadless areas, to learn about the management requirements for these areas under the 2001 Roadless Rule and the characteristics of forested areas. Comment forms will be provided and collected at the workshops. No oral testimony will be taken. All comments must be received by October 13, 2006.

Washington Roadless Areas Public Workshops

Monday, September 18, 2006
6:30 p.m. � 8:30 p.m.
Capitol Campus
Legislative Building, Columbia Room
Olympia

Tuesday, September 19, 2006
6:00 p.m. � 8:00 p.m.
Spokane Falls Community College
3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr.
Spokane

If you have special accommodation needs or have questions regarding the workshops, please contact John Mankowski at 360-902-0648 no later than one week before the workshop. Persons with hearing loss may call 711 for Washington Relay Service. Persons with a speech disability may call (877) 833-6341.

Before submitting a comment form online or via mail, please review the information provided on the �Protecting Roadless Areas Public Input� page on the Governor�s website.

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