SR1029: SR1029 Roadless Area Conservation Rule; recognize; United States Forest Service; commend

26 LC 112 4030 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 commending1 the United States Forest Service for its management of Georgia's roadless areas; and for other2 purposes.3 WHEREAS, since 2001, the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rul e ("Roadless Rule"),4 promulgated by the United States Department of Agriculture, has protected nearly 45 million5 acres of America's wildest public lands from unnecessary roadbuilding and development; and 6 WHEREAS, the Roadless Rule is one of America's most important bipartisan conservation7 achievements and the result of record-breaking public support; and8 WHEREAS, over 63,000 acres of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest's 867,000 acres9 have been designated as roadless areas in the Blue Ridge mounta ins of north Georgia,10 including portions of the Appalachian Trail, Rabun Bald, and the Cohutta adjacent roadless11 area; and12 WHEREAS, Georgia's roadless areas provide irreplaceable benefits, including clean drinking13 water to local and downstream communities, crystal clear trout streams, support for local14 S. R. 1029 - 1 - 26 LC 112 4030 economies that depend on outdoor recreation and tourism dollars, iconic hiking trails, and15 habitat for wildlife; and16 WHEREAS, the United States Forest Service estimates that visito rs to Georgia's national17 forests bring about $130 million to local economies each year and support nearly 2,000 local18 jobs; and19 WHEREAS, roadless areas are crucial for backcountry hunters and anglers, who are major20 contributors to Georgia's economy; and21 WHEREAS, Georgia's roadless areas are a haven for wildlife such as black bear, deer, wild22 turkey, grouse, and hundreds of bird species, and these areas provide the clean, cold water23 required for trout; and24 WHEREAS, Georgia's roadless areas contribute to the drinking water for over 3.3 million25 Georgians, including over 75,000 people in nearby communities such as Chatsworth, Ellijay,26 Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and Hiawassee as well as over 3 millio n more living farther27 downstream in Rome, Augusta, Savannah, metro Atlanta, and other communities; and28 WHEREAS, United States Forest Service data show that most wildfires start within 50 yards29 of a road, and the Roadless Rule thus provides a critical safeguard against wildfire; and30 WHEREAS, the United States Forest Service has managed roadless areas in the31 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest responsibly and efficientl y, to the benefit of all32 Georgians.33 S. R. 1029 - 2 - 26 LC 112 4030 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body34 recognize the 25th anniversary of the Roadless Area Conservatio n Rule, acknowledge the35 importance of the rule's continued application in Georgia, and commend the United States36 Forest Service for its management of roadless areas in Georgia.37 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed38 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the United States39 Forest Service, the public, and the press.40 S. R. 1029 - 3 -