President Bill Clinton Friday approved a US Forest Service proposal to prevent road construction on 58.5 million acres of forest lands in 39 states, about a third of the national forests.
The White House said all activities on roadless lands that already were the subject of a Forest Service decision, such as leases and permits, will continue to be permitted.
It said, "Existing oil, gas, coal and other leaseable mineral development can continue after existing leases expire if they are immediately renewed or reissued. The rule will have only very minimal impact on the nation's future supply of natural gas and other energy sources."
The White House said the program to set aside roadless lands reflects input received at more than 600 public meetings nationwide attended by an estimated 39,000 people. In developing the strategy, the Forest Service received 1.6 million comments from the public, and collaborated with seven other federal agencies.
Clinton said, "I'm told that more Americans were involved in shaping this policy than any land preservation initiative in the history of the republic."
He said the area to be protected is greater than the area in all US national parks combined. He said the "timeless beauty" of the roadless lands "will remain unspoiled by bulldozers, undisturbed by chain saws and untouched for our children. Preserving roadless areas puts America on the right road for the future, the responsible path of sustainable development."
Clinton said the "degree of protection afforded should reflect the best available science and a careful consideration of the full range of ecological, economic, and social values inherent in these lands."
Last week, Rep. Jim Hansen (R-Utah), the new House Resources Committee chairman, urged President-elect George W. Bush to work with Congress to revoke the expected roadless rule. Several western Senators said they would seek legislation in the next Congress to overturn the rule.
Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alas.) predicted the initiative would be overturned in court. Murkowski said the roadbuilding ban would block the development of large reserves of gas in the West.