WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration acted illegally when it opened millions of acres (hectares) of U.S. national forests to road-building and logging, a federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday.
The U.S. Appeals Court for the Ninth Circuit effectively reinstated a 2001 rule that bars development in recognized "roadless" areas of national forests, except in Idaho and the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.
"The court today confirmed protections for these wild forests and rivers that Americans love and cherish," said Kristen Boyles, a lawyer with Earthjustice, who litigated the case on behalf of 20 environmental groups.
