Senate Resolution 1029
By: Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Walker III of the 20th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Robertson
of the 29th, Brass of the 6th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule and commending
the United States Forest Service for its management of Georgia's roadless areas; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, since 2001, the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule ("Roadless Rule"),
promulgated by the United States Department of Agriculture, has protected nearly 45 million
acres of America's wildest public lands from unnecessary roadbuilding and development; and
WHEREAS, the Roadless Rule is one of America's most important bipartisan conservation
achievements and the result of record-breaking public support; and
WHEREAS, over 63,000 acres of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest's 867,000 acres
have been designated as roadless areas in the Blue Ridge mountains of north Georgia,
including portions of the Appalachian Trail, Rabun Bald, and the Cohutta adjacent roadless
area; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's roadless areas provide irreplaceable benefits, including clean drinking
water to local and downstream communities, crystal clear trout streams, support for local
economies that depend on outdoor recreation and tourism dollars, iconic hiking trails, and
habitat for wildlife; and
WHEREAS, the United States Forest Service estimates that visitors to Georgia's national
forests bring about $130 million to local economies each year and support nearly 2,000 local
jobs; and
WHEREAS, roadless areas are crucial for backcountry hunters and anglers, who are major
contributors to Georgia's economy; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's roadless areas are a haven for wildlife such as black bear, deer, wild
turkey, grouse, and hundreds of bird species, and these areas provide the clean, cold water
required for trout; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's roadless areas contribute to the drinking water for over 3.3 million
Georgians, including over 75,000 people in nearby communities such as Chatsworth, Ellijay,
Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and Hiawassee as well as over 3 million more living farther
downstream in Rome, Augusta, Savannah, metro Atlanta, and other communities; and
WHEREAS, United States Forest Service data show that most wildfires start within 50 yards
of a road, and the Roadless Rule thus provides a critical safeguard against wildfire; and
WHEREAS, the United States Forest Service has managed roadless areas in the
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest responsibly and efficiently, to the benefit of all
Georgians.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize the 25th anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, acknowledge the
importance of the rule's continued application in Georgia, and commend the United States
Forest Service for its management of roadless areas in Georgia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the United States
Forest Service, the public, and the press.