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President Clinton Announces Wild Forest Protection Policy

Major Impacts to California's Unprotected Wild Areas

Paul Spitler at (530) 758-0380, or Ryan Henson at (530) 474-4808

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C.- President Clinton announced today that nearly 60 million acres of unroaded national forest land, including over four million acres in California, will be protected from road construction and commercial logging.

Conservationists are thrilled with the new policy. "This decision could well turn out to be the most important conservation action of the 21st century," said Paul Spitler, Executive Director of the California Wilderness Coalition. "The President's action will help to preserve millions of acres of California forest. It is a decision that future generations will thank us for."

California's 24 million acres of national forest land includes over four million acres of roadless areas. Many of these special places contain groves of ancient forest, pristine streams, and unparalleled scenery. They provide refuges for wildlife, clean drinking water to millions of California residents, and excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation.

"This is truly a historic day for California's environment. Over four million acres of our state's most scenic landscapes have been preserved for the enjoyment of present and future citizens. For the millions of Californians who cherish our state's natural beauty, today's action is a cause for celebration," Spitler said.

More than half the land in California's national forests has been degraded by logging, mining, road construction, and other activities, while less than 20 percent has been permanently protected under federal wilderness law. Nationwide, the policy announced today affects nearly 60 million acres of roadless lands in the 191 million-acre national forest system.

The amount of land that may be protected in California's national forests varies by region. The following page lists the acreage covered by President Clinton's proposed policy for each of California's national forests.

Roadless area acreage in California covered by President Clinton's January 5, 2001 roadless area policy announcement

Compiled by Ryan Henson of the California Wilderness Coalition, 530-474-4808

* These figures include only the California portions of these forests.

These figures are derived in part from the Forest Service's Roadless Area Conservation Final Environmental Impact Statement, and may not reflect minor changes included in President Clinton's announcement today.

Four representative California roadless areas covered by President Clinton's announcement

Orleans Mountain Roadless Area, Six Rivers National Forest: Located in Humboldt County in northwestern California, this roadless area contains thousands of acres of ancient forest, includes several popular hiking trails, and provides clear, cold water crucial to endangered salmon and steelhead trout that spawn in the region's streams. The area is also a potential addition to the adjacent Trinity Alps Wilderness, and is sacred to the local Hoopa tribe. The roadless area has been threatened by logging literally dozens of times over the last two decades, resulting in lengthy battles between conservationists and the Forest Service. As a result of the policy, the Forest Service's opportunities to log the region have been greatly constrained.

North Fork American Roadless Area, Tahoe National Forest: Located northeast of Sacramento, this wild area was specifically highlighted by President Clinton during a speech he made in 1999. The rugged cliffs of the North Fork American River Canyon provide prime habitat for golden eagles and prairie falcons, and areas of primeval forest support spotted owls. Waterfalls abound on the North Fork American and its tributaries, including a 500-foot waterfall in New York Canyon. This wild area will no longer face periodic threats from logging and road construction as a result of this policy.

San Joaquin Roadless Area, Inyo National Forest: Located in Inyo County near the town of Mammoth, this wild land is popular with cross-country skiers, hikers, and others seeking to get away from it all and to enjoy its spectacular wildflower displays and abundant groves of old-growth forest. The roadless area has long been threatened by downhill ski resort development, proposals that can now no longer go forward given the prohibition on new road construction. Two large and popular downhill ski areas flank the wild area and already meet demands for this type of recreation.

Antimony Roadless Area, Los Padres National Forest: This wild region of oak woodlands and grasslands is located very close to the San Andreas Fault at the southwestern edge of the San Joaquin Valley. The roadless area is critical to the continued recovery of the endangered California condor, the largest bird in North America, and is also home to the threatened San Joaquin kit fox. The Forest Service has been considering allowing oil drilling in this and several other nearby roadless areas, a threat now precluded by President Clinton's announcement.