House Clearcut Bill Slashes Forests and Guts Environmental Laws

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: July 9, 2015

Contact: Melanie Gade, gmade@defenders.org, (202) 772-0288

House Clearcut Bill Slashes Forests and Guts Environmental Laws

WASHINGTON— Today the House passed a so-called forest “reform” bill (H.R. 2647) that would bulldoze bedrock environmental laws to pave the way for dramatic increases in logging in forests across America. This extreme bill turns back the clock 50 years on forest management and puts our nation’s forests at risk by green-lighting reckless logging practices, damaging vital wildlife habitat, short-cutting critical environmental review, and limiting public involvement in forest management decisions.

The following is a statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former President and CEO, Defenders of Wildlife:

“This is a sad testament to the fact that instead of leading the charge on conserving America’s valued forests, many in Congress seem bent on casting aside our nation’s foundational conservation laws. Dramatically increasing logging based upon little to no environmental analysis is like racing down the highway with your windshield painted black. You know that the outcome will not be good. The public will be looking at irreparable habitat damage, polluted watersheds and drinking water and a devastated outdoor economy.

“Rather than recklessly rolling back time-tested conservation laws, Congress should focus on the one and only legislative reform actually needed for our nation’s forests—properly funding the fire-fighting budget.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.