OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2000

John Wright (O) 202/208-6416

Statement by Michael Gauldin, Director of Communications for
the Department of the Interior:

Response to Petition to Reinventory Bureau of Land Management Roadless Areas

"We think wilderness is important to preserve, and that protecting as much of the nation's remaining roadless federal lands as is feasible is a worthwhile goal. That is why this Administration is now in the middle of a major roadless area review of national forest lands, and why we will look at this petition carefully.

At the Department of the Interior, we have not been idle on this issue. Under Secretary Bruce Babbitt, we have reinventoried BLM lands in Colorado and Utah for roadless characteristics. To undertake a comprehensive effort to reinventory more than 200 million acres of BLM land would divert our attention from some important conservation efforts the Secretary has long had underway. In addition, we would barely begin the undertaking before this Administration leaves office."

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