Birdman
08-24-2004, 02:34 PM
The U.S. Forest Service is currently considering a new rule that would change the way it manages roadless areas in the National Forest System. In 2001, the Forest Service adopted a rule that curtailed road construction in the 58.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas of the 191 million acre National Forest System. It allows exceptions for firefighting, protecting public safety, and maintaining access to state and private lands. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed a new rule that rescinds the existing rule and establishes a process for governors to petition the Forest Service to implement individual rules for roadless areas in their states.
Since 2002, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has facilitated the work of the Forest Road Working Group (FRWG). The FRWG is an ad hoc coalition comprised of organizations that have a strong interest in the rule, including conservation groups, a timber company, and outdoor recreation businesses. Groups participating in the FRWG have included Wildlife Forever, the Wildlife Management Institute, the Wildlife Society, International Paper, Trout Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League of America, the Outdoor Industry Association and the Pinchot Institute for Conservation. After a long and constructive dialogue, the FRWG submitted recommendations to the USDA Forest Service in March 2003 regarding the management and continued conservation of roadless areas of the National Forest.
With those recommendations in mind, the FRWG is taking part in the public comment period that will help shape how the proposed new rule will be implemented. To learn more about the FRWG, its 2003 recommendations, the new proposed rule on roadless areas, and how you can take part in the public comment period, click here or go to http://www.frwg.org.
Public comments on the new roadless area management plan are being accepted until September 14, 2004.
Since 2002, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has facilitated the work of the Forest Road Working Group (FRWG). The FRWG is an ad hoc coalition comprised of organizations that have a strong interest in the rule, including conservation groups, a timber company, and outdoor recreation businesses. Groups participating in the FRWG have included Wildlife Forever, the Wildlife Management Institute, the Wildlife Society, International Paper, Trout Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League of America, the Outdoor Industry Association and the Pinchot Institute for Conservation. After a long and constructive dialogue, the FRWG submitted recommendations to the USDA Forest Service in March 2003 regarding the management and continued conservation of roadless areas of the National Forest.
With those recommendations in mind, the FRWG is taking part in the public comment period that will help shape how the proposed new rule will be implemented. To learn more about the FRWG, its 2003 recommendations, the new proposed rule on roadless areas, and how you can take part in the public comment period, click here or go to http://www.frwg.org.
Public comments on the new roadless area management plan are being accepted until September 14, 2004.