Washington D.C.- In response to the Trump administration initiating the official rulemaking process to roll back protections for 45 million acres of our national forests across 36 states and Puerto Rico, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick:

“In a direct attack on our environment and a clear giveaway to billionaire industry executives, the Trump administration is threatening to open up 45 million acres of our national forests to clear-cut logging and other environmental harms. These lands are currently protected by the 2001 Roadless Rule and are critical to tackling the climate crisis while providing clean air and water to millions of people. Over the last three decades, millions of people have weighed in to support this rule which helps to conserve wild areas for their ecological, recreational, and cultural values. This announcement from the administration comes at the same time as it is gutting federal land management agencies, firing forest rangers, and continuing to cut funding to protect public lands – all undermining our ability to care for our forests and communities. We will continue to stand up to and fight against the Trump administration’s harmful actions — including this latest attempt to destroy our national forests for the benefit of Big Polluters.”

###