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For Immediate Release July 12, 2004 Contact: Erich W. Zimmermann (202) 546-8500 x110 TCS Statement on Bush Administration Roadless Rule Proposal Washington, D.C. – The following is a prepared statement by Jill Lancelot, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) on the Bush Administration Roadless Rule proposal: More Information View the TCS Forest Service Budget Reform Campaign Website By announcing its intent to dismantle the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, the administration is abrogating its fundamental responsibility as the economic steward of the National Forest System. The U.S. Forest Service has consistently drained our nation's Treasury, having lost billions on under-priced timber sales and wasteful forest road construction. In addition, the Forest Service faces a massive maintenance backlog on existing forest roads that currently exceeds $10 billion. The administration's decision opens up more land for logging, but does nothing to solve the culture of waste, fraud, and abuse at the Forest Service. Instead, this new policy will only increase the number of taxpayer subsidized new roads and other timber subsidies.

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Taxpayers for Common Sense is a non-partisan budget watchdog that serves as an independent voice for American taxpayers.  Now in its second decade of service to the nation, TCS works to ensure that our government spends taxpayer money efficiently and responsibly by working to eliminate wasteful and harmful federal spending.