[LCN Newscast] Meeting on Forest "Roadless Rule": Sep 08

[newscast@lists.lakeclaire.org]

Public Meeting on the 'Roadless Rule'
Frazer Center
2004 Sep 08 Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

The U.S. Forest Service is an agency of the Department of
Agriculture.  Its mission includes:
- Advocating a conservation ethic in promoting the health,
productivity, diversity, and beauty of forests and associated
lands.
- Listening to people and responding to their diverse needs in
making decisions.
- Protecting and managing the national forests and grasslands so
that they best demonstrate the sustainable multiple-use
management concept.

A public meeting will discuss a proposed policy change regarding
the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.  A new Bush Administration
policy would require governors to petition the Forest Service to
not construct roads in or otherwise develop inventoried wild
roadless forest areas.  Come and join others in your community
for a panel discussion, Q&A, and chance to register your concern
about, or your approval of, this proposed policy change.

Who:
- Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman (D-GA04) and
original co-sponsor of the National Forest Protection &
Restoration Act (invited)
- Jerry McCollum, President and CEO of Georgia Wildlife
Federation
- Michelle Fortin, REI representative
- Mark Woodall, private Georgia timber farmer

Where:  The Frazer Center, 1815 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE, Atlanta.

When:  Wednesday, September 8, 2004
7:00 Meet & Greet with panelists, Georgia environmental groups
7:30 Public Meeting


For more information on the Roadless Rule, including how to
comment directly to the Forest Service:
http://roadless.fs.fed.us/

Or contact Kate Smolski at (404) 607-1262 x222 or
kate.smolski@sierraclub.org

----------------

Other U.S. Forest Service News:

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2004--Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
today announced the Bush Administration would recommend to
Congress that an additional 8,090 acres of the Chattahoochee-
Oconee National Forest in Georgia be protected as wilderness. The
announcement marks the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.

Full story: http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0373.04.html