Bill would codify Roadless Rule, which protects almost 60 million acres of America’s last remaining wild forestlands, including 2 million acres in Washington state.
Press release issued 1/12/21 (link source)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on the twentieth anniversary of the 2001 Roadless Rule, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego (D, AZ-07) and many other members of Congress in announcing a renewed push to enshrine roadless rule protections into law. The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2021 would permanently protect 58.5 million of acres of national forest from logging and development—more than 31 percent of America’s National Forest System—including the South Quinault Ridge in Northwest Washington, the Dark Divide in Southwest Washington, The Kettle Range in Northeast Washington, and much of the Methow Valley Headwaters in Central Washington.
“The looming climate crisis has only increased the need to protect America’s last remaining wild forestlands, which reduce wildland fire risk and store huge amounts of carbon”, said Senator Cantwell. “Roadless areas provide Washingtonians with unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities, clean drinking water for our communities, and habitat for numerous endangered species. As we mark the twentieth anniversary of this landmark proposal, we need to redouble our efforts to permanently preserve the benefits these public lands provide our nation and future generations.”
For two decades, the Roadless Rule has shielded some of the most pristine and treasured areas within the National Forest System from roadbuilding and logging. The Roadless Area Conservation Act would codify the 2001 Roadless Rule, which was developed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) during the Clinton administration and finalized after several years of deliberation and 600 public meetings in local communities nationwide, including 28 hearings in Washington state. More than 2.5 million Americans submitted comments on the Roadless Forest Protection Rule since 1999, and more than 80,000 comments came from citizens in Washington state. The overwhelming majority of comments submitted—more than 95%—were in support of protecting roadless areas. A March 2019 poll by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that three out of four respondents said they supported keeping roadless forest protections, while only 16% oppose it. That level of support changed little between respondents living in rural or non-rural areas and across party affiliation and political views.
Over the past two decades, the Roadless Rule has prevailed over numerous court challenges and administrative and legislative attacks. However, the Trump administration has weakened the rule, and in October 2020 the administration removed roadless protections for over 9 million acres of pristine forest lands in the Tongass National Forest, threatening old-growth forest and southeast Alaska’s robust tourism and fishing economies.
By codifying the rule into law—including in the Tongass—the Roadless Area Conservation Act would uphold recreational access to public lands, preserve the habitats of 1,600 at-risk species, reduce the risk of wildfires, aid in the fight against climate change by preserving vast carbon sinks, and safeguard watersheds that provide clean drinking water for more than 60 million Americans in 39 states and more than 350 communities across the United States. The legislation would maintain the flexibility engrained in the Roadless Rule which allows for continued forest management and the construction of roads as needed to address fires, floods, or other catastrophic events, and other circumstances like the need to build new road connections between remote communities.
The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2021 would:
Protect, in perpetuity, 58.5 million acres of roadless national forest in 39 states;
Ensure the more than 240 million people living within 100 miles of a national forest or national grassland retain access to opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing;
Safeguard watersheds in national forests and roadless areas that provide clean drinking water for over 60 million Americans;
Save taxpayers millions of dollars by limiting costly new road building, allow the Forest Service to focus on maintaining its existing 371,581-mile network of National Forest System roads, and reduce its $3 billion backlog of deferred maintenance on its existing road system;
Maintain exemptions for hydropower development, public safety, and firefighting needs;
Uphold the 9th and 10th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals decisions, as well as a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in support of the Roadless Rule.
(2) Inslee extends security measures for 2021 legislative session.
Press release issued 1/12/21--Link source
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today announcing the extension of actions taken by the state to ensure the safety and security of Washingtonians, legislators, state employees and the buildings of the Capitol Campus.
"Based on the recommendation of the Washington State Patrol, current security measures on the Capitol Campus will remain in place through federal Inauguration Day (Wenesday, Jan. 20) due to evolving intelligence on security threats posed in all 50 state capitals following the violence in our nation’s capital, as well as recent illegal and dangerous actions associated with non-permitted events on our state’s Capitol Campus.
"The Washington National Guard will continue to support the security focused efforts of the Washington State Patrol and the temporary fencing that has been placed around the restricted area of the West Campus.
"These unfortunate, necessary security precautions could last longer, but we are hopeful that we will soon see political temperatures cool and threat levels come down, bringing a related easing of these restrictions.
"For public safety, many roads and trails will continue to be closed. Measures such as road closures and vehicle barricades support people's ability to peacefully assemble and express their freedom of speech in non-restricted areas without the concern of vehicles impacting their activity. These measures also preserve 24/7 emergency vehicle access.
"Buildings on the Capitol Campus, including the Legislative Building, have been closed to the public since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Law enforcement remains present to help ensure that all sides have the opportunity to legally exercise their free speech rights and peaceably assemble in non-restricted areas."
IN OTHER STATE RELATED NEWS:
Inslee waives in-person requirement for oath of office.
Today Gov. Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 21-01, which suspends the requirement that statewide elected officials be sworn in ‘at the capitol’.
This waiver allows statewide elected officials to choose to either be sworn in remotely or in person. The order is effective January 12, 2021, and expires at 11:59 PM on January 15.
Zelma Maine Jackson — a quarter-century of keeping tabs on Hanford--DOE
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is asking for public feedback on six land acquisition proposals that would help promote fish and wildlife conservation and public access to the great outdoors. --WDFW
WDFW seeks comment on periodic status review for Ferruginous Hawks.
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on its draft periodic status review for the Ferruginous Hawk. The department is recommending a change from threatened to endangered status for Ferruginous Hawks in Washington.---WDFW
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(3) TODAY'S TOP HEADLINE NEWS
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
USUN: Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Mali.
The United States supports the reform agenda that the transition government and the African-led Support Group for the transition announced last November. That agenda focuses on security, governance, a renewed social compact, elections, and implementation of the Algiers Accord.
Fewer protections, lower wages, and higher health risks: Homeworking in the COVID era.
The UN’s labour agency (ILO) called on Wednesday for greater recognition and protection for the hundreds of millions of people who work from home, accounting for almost eight per cent of the global workforce even before the COVID-19 pandemic.---UN NEWS CENTER
UN reports major progress towards eradicating sheep and goat plague.
The world is moving closer to stamping out a highly contagious disease that affects sheep and goats, but also the livelihoods of millions of families who depend on these animals for food and income, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Wednesday. ---UN NEWS CENTER
Step up surveillance of emerging coronavirus variants, WHO urges.
Efforts should be stepped up to quickly identify and study emerging variants of the COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus, UN World Health Organization (WHO) scientists said on Tuesday. --UN NEWS CENTER
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
Letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi on 25th Amendment Resolution---Letter sent by VP Pence yesterday
Remarks by President Trump at the 45th Mile of New Border Wall | Reynosa-McAllen, TX---WH
The Justice Department today reached a settlement under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of St. Louis to ensure that St. Louis polling places are accessible during elections to individuals with mobility and vision impairments. --DOJ
USDA Announces Details of the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum Program.
(Washington, D.C., January 11, 2021) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces details of the 97th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will be held virtually on February 18-19, 2021.--USDA
BUSINESS & FINANCE:
USDA Releases Agriculture Innovation Research Strategy Summary and Dashboard.
(Washington, D.C., January 12, 2021) – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its U.S. Agriculture Innovation Strategy Directional Vision for Research (PDF, 4.8 MB) summary and dashboard that will help to guide future research decisions within USDA. The strategy synthesizes the information USDA collected as part of a public announcement earlier this year engaging the public on research priorities under the Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA).
Owner of Bitcoin Exchange Sentenced to Prison for Money Laundering
A Bulgarian national who was convicted by a federal jury for his role in a transnational and multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud American victims was sentenced today to 121 months in prison.--DOJ
Treasury Targets Billion Dollar Foundations Controlled by Iran’s Supreme Leader--US TREASURY DEPT.
Full Employment in the New Monetary Policy Framework.
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(4) COMMENTARIES
A Modest Proposal to Germany, France and China: Save Free Speech in America--PJ MEDIA
Left media Aims to Cancel Independent Citizen Journalists
Push to break up Big Tech picks up bipartisan steam amid conservative crackdown--Washington Times
Graham: Republicans supporting impeachment 'damage' the party
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
