Sen. Boren joins lawmakers from across the country in opposing federal push to end national forest protections

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, is standing with fellow lawmakers from across the country in opposing an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to rescind the highly effective and popular Roadless Rule, a policy which prohibits road construction and logging on national forest lands with great ecological and recreational value. Boren issued the following statement about efforts by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) to oppose the overturning of this policy.

“On August 18, the USDA filed their proposed rule to rescind the Roadless Rule. NCEL is fighting to protect our national forest lands from this action, which threatens 44 million acres of land across 37 states. The Roadless Rule is about keeping drinking water clean, protecting wildlife habits, and saving outdoor recreation areas.

“There’s a short window for the current comment period, and I’ve signed onto NCEL’s comment letter in opposition to this assault on national forest lands. I’ve attended the NCEL conference for six years, served as the State Lead for three years, and I believe in the work this organization is doing to protect our natural resources for future generations. We cannot allow greed and short-sighted policies to destroy these precious lands.”

-END-

For more information, contact:  Sen. Mary Boren at 405-521-5553 or Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov