White House to announce roadless-areas repeal plan

By MATTHEW DALY
The Associated Press

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Under the plan, to be announced by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman today, governors would have to petition the federal government to block road-building in remote areas of national forests, replacing a national rule against such projects adopted by the Clinton administration.

Environmental groups howled when a draft of the proposed change was made public earlier.

The so-called roadless rule blocks road construction in nearly one-third of national forests as a way to prevent logging and other commercial activity.

The administration said it will reinstate for 18 months an interim rule requiring that Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth approve any new road construction in previously protected areas. Officials said they expect few, if any, changes in roadless policy during that 18-month period.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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