From Florida to Alaska Americans can celebrate one of the nation's greatest environmental achievements as President Clinton and the Forest Service today protected nearly 60 million acres of the nation's wild forests from logging and other development. This sweeping new protection is as important as the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and other environmental landmarks.

The Clinton Administration and the Forest Service provided exceptional leadership in bringing about this new policy. Reaching out to the American people in an unprecedented way, the Forest Service held 600 public hearings and received comments from 1.7 million Americans speaking out in strong support for protecting the nation's last remaining wild forests. That support was as broad as it was deep. Republicans and Democrats, Easterners and Westerners, and people from throughout our nation's cities, suburbs, and rural communities all strongly back these new safeguards.

Although some might try, this legacy of protection for our wild forests -- with its widespread support -- should never and can never be rolled back. The American people won't stand for it.

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Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to preserve America's wilderness and to develop a nationwide network of wildlands through public education, scientific analysis, and advocacy. Its goal is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water, wildlife, natural beauty, and opportunities for recreation and spiritual renewal provided by protected forests, rivers, deserts, and mountains.

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