Is Jim Webb a Teddy Roosevelt conservationist? As a huge Teddy Roosevelt fan myself, that has always been my hope. Of course, TR was the greatest U.S. President for conservation in our history, placing 230,000,000 acres of land under protection. So, Sen. Webb has a ways to go; still, this is a good start:
Senator Jim Webb today co-sponsored legislation, the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2007, to permanently protect 58.5 million acres of roadless areas in America's premiere public land, including 383,500 acres of roadless areas in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Senators Warner and Cantwell are also co-sponsors of the bill.The bill seeks to codify the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and would protect roadless areas in the Washington and Jefferson National Forests from commercial logging and road-building. The legislation includes a number of important exemptions to allow new road construction in order to fight fires and ensure public health and safety.
"I believe that we must protect and preserve Virginia's National Forests from the harmful effects of logging and commercial interests," said Senator Jim Webb. "Generations of Virginians have enjoyed the natural beauty and resources of the Appalachians and this legislation will secure the protection of our forests for generations to come.""This legislation is critical to western Virginia to protect scenic, undisturbed forest areas for future generations to enjoy," said Webb. "Roadless designations by the US Forest Service provide a sanctuary for native wildlife, providing clean water for hundreds of communities, and offer some of the best recreation spots for hunters, fisherman, and outdoor enthusiasts."
Eco-tourism also holds enormous potential for the economies of many areas in western Virginia. Nationally, recreation in National Forests generates an estimated $100 billion annually and sustains approximately 3.3 million jobs. There are 4.7 million acres of National Forest land in the Southern Appalachians - the largest semi-contiguous bloc of public lands in the East. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia contain nearly half this total. National Forests in Virginia supply slightly over 1% of the timber harvest in the Commonwealth.
Now, I urge Sen. Webb to join with Del. Brian Moran and many others in protecting Virginia's coasts from the dangers of offshore oil and gas drilling. I also call on Sen. Webb to fight hard for major, serious action to combat global warming ASAP. Thanks, Sen. Webb, you're doing a great job!