take a road off, arnie
from Grist:
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) today asked the feds to keep
all 4.4 million roadless acres of national forest in his state
off-limits to logging, road-building, and other development. President
Bush in 2004 canceled President Clinton's rule protecting roadless
national-forest areas; now it's up to governors to request protection
for roadless parcels in their states. If approved as expected,
Schwarzenegger's petition will protect more than one-fifth of
California's forested public land. Virginia and both Carolinas have had
similar petitions approved without major changes; New Mexico has also
filed for roadless protection. "Having a Republican governor of a
Western state, with a large amount of roadless areas, stand up to
protect all the areas sends an important signal to the rest of the
country," said Sara Barth of The Wilderness Society.
sources:
Los Angeles Times
San Francisco Chronicle
Environment is center stage in California governor's race
Comments
While I like to think that Arnie did this because he believes it's important to keep those areas as undeveloped as possible, the cynic in me says "It's an election year, and both Democratic candidates for Governor were slamming each other on the environment. Hrm."
Or, in Arnie-speak, "Vhat, do I look zhat stupid?"
Won't argue about the ends, but the means are suspicious.
ok it took me til just now to get the headline.
now i have that song in my head, but it's ok cause i like it just fine.