On this webpage you will find updates and information about the latest issues associated with roads and remote areas.
In Jan 2011, the US Dept of Agriculture announced their intent to develop a new forest planning rule for the National Forest system. The Planning Rule provides a framework to use in developing and revising land management plans on individual forests. After considering over 300,000 comments on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement, the US Forest Service developed what is called a ‘preferred alternative’ – a course of action to finalize the plan. Click here for an Associated Press summary article. Click here for the actual document.
This year, there are several important roadless area bills before Congress. The Wilderness Society has a great state-by-state summary of conservation acts that will be discussed during the 112th Congressional Session. Click here for details.
The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule was a landmark policy implemented during the last days of the Clinton Administration. The Rule established a federal policy to place almost 1/3 of the National Forest System off-limits to new road building. Then in 2004, the Bush Administration issued a new state by state rule that allowed governors to petition the US Forest Service to change (and thereby reduce) how much land is involved in roadless conservation. It has been a contentious issue ever since involving litigation, petitions, and over 4.2 million comments to the US Forest Service.
Idaho’s governor was the first to submit a petition and it was adopted in 2008 with some modifications. The final rule resulted in the immediate opening of 405,900 acres to extractive use and road construction and opened 2/3 of the previously protected wildlands to timber cutting, road building and other uses.
The governor of Colorado has also submitted a petition. Final public comment period for the proposed U.S. Forest Service Colorado Roadless Rule is now closed. Click here for the complete document.
