Yet before the Rule could be implemented, a lawsuit led by timber giant (and KSU supplier) Boise Cascade and other interests secured an injunction, claiming that they would suffer "irreparable harm." Boise spin doctor Ralph Poore defended the lawsuit in a guest column to the Daily Kent Stater in October, arguing that "the Roadless Rule process was predetermined and one-sided and failed to consider the long-term health of our national forests."

However, on December 12, 2002, sound science and public sentiment triumphed. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco shot down Boise's lawsuit, noting that "the Forest Service did provide the public with extensive, relevant information on the Roadless Rule" and "allowed adequate time for meaningful public debate and comment." The Rule would "help conserve some of the last unspoiled wilderness in our country" and "is not the drastic measure that (opponents) make it out to be," the ruling stated. "É The district court proceeded on an incorrect legal premise, applied the wrong standard for injunction, and abused its discretion in issuing a preliminary injunction."

According to the Portland Oregonian, Boise spokesperson Mike Moser was "disappointed" at the ruling. Moser flew to a meeting at Kent State in August to defend his company from concerned students (including myself) who are asking the university to choose a more environmentally and socially responsible office products supplier. At the meeting, Moser stated that the Roadless Rule was "illegal." Yet with this ruling, which comprehensively put to rest the arguments against the Rule, environmentalists are now confident that the Roadless Areas will be implemented.

The ruling hasn't changed Boise's overall agenda of environmental destruction, however, despite Boise's recent announcement that it planned to phase out direct logging of old growth trees in the United States. But Boise has no chain of custody to trace the origins of their imports, and therefore it is "impossible for Boise to guarantee that no old growth fiber is used to make our wood and paper products" as they admit themselves on their website (www.bc.com). A ruined forest is just as ruined whether Boise logs it themselves or pays others to do it for them.

The only way Boise will change is if Kent State and Boise's other customers join the growing list of companies and schools that refuse to buy from Boise until it cleans up its act. In November, Staples announced its commitment to stop using any old growth and endangered tree products, and to increase recycled content, capitulating to a two-year grassroots campaign. Lowe's and Home Depot have made similar commitments. Now the pressure is on Boise to do the same.

The Roadless victory should motivate us to renew our commitment to the planet by holding Boise and other companies accountable. Accordingly, a nation-wide environmental network called the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) has just agreed to actively join the fight against Boise Cascade. Kent will be a critical part of this struggle. Contact me to join this historic campaign.

E-mail: mpesa@kent.edu

Mike Pesa is a junior history major and a columnist for the Daily Kent Stater.