Quoting today's New York Times:

"Administration Is Exempting Alaska Forest From Protection
By JENNIFER 8. LEE

Published: December 24, 2003


WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 2004.

The Bush administration announced on Tuesday that the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the largest in the country, would be exempted from a Clinton-era rule, potentially opening up more than half of the 17 million-acre forest for more development and as many as 50 logging projects.

The decision stems from the settlement of a lawsuit between Alaska and the federal government over the so-called roadless rule, which prohibited the building of roads in 58.5 million acres of undeveloped national forest across the country.

Environmental groups attacked the administration for the settlement in July, saying it was an underhanded strategy for circumventing the regulation. Conservation groups said the administration had failed to defend the roadless designation adequately. "

Once again the environment must pay the price for the greed of the few. Our future must once again be sacrificed for the wealth of a handful. Sure logging provides work for a small number of folks that desperately need the work, but the ones that really profit from this onslaught of the earth sit in fine homes of exclusive country clubs, counting their dollars, not giving a damn about the destruction and rape of the land. Once again shame on you Mr. Bush. You once again show where your allegiance lies, with your bank account.