The poll was commissioned by the Heritage Forests Campaign. The poll demonstrates that support for the forest protection plan extends across party, demographic and geographic lines. President Clinton is clearly listening to the wishes of the American people by moving to protect our last remaining wild forests for future generations. Fifty-four percent believe that the U.S. does not have enough permanently protected land in the National Forests, compared to just 6 percent who believe that too much land is protected. Thirty-two percent believe we have the right amount protected.
Supporters heavily outnumber opponents across every region in the country.
With regards to implementation, the voters were evenly split. Forty-six percent agree that Clinton should use his authority and bypass Congress to protect roadless, wild areas while 48 percent disagree. Already, the USFS has received more than a half million public comments, with the vast majority in support of the President's proposal. The agency has hosted more than 200 public meetings across the country on the proposal. The Clinton administration, along with the USFS, is expected to implement its final plan in the fall 2000.