Roadless Rule, Rocky Response
States Prepare to Deal with Rule Change
By Matt Singer, 5-22-05
 |
|
 | |
| Scott Poniewaz/New West | |
|
Colorado
Political leaders in Colorado were ready for the Bush Administration's rule change on roadless areas. So ready, in fact, that a bill to appoint a comission to look at these lands passed both chambers and is headed for Republican Governor Bill Owen's desk for signature. The bill establishes a 12-person commission, four appointed by Owen, four by the legislature's Democratic leadership, and four through the mutual agreement of Owens and the Democrats. Owens has yet to sign the bill, but his signature is expected soon. That's a good thing, too, since the commission will clearly have its work cut out.
The most pressing area for discussion is Colorado's San Juan National Forest, which is estimated to contain between 1.76 and 5 million barrels of oil. The Wilderness Society describes the roadless areas as "prime habitat" and "a vital wildlife corridor" for deer, elk, and bears. Given its natural resource capacities and its environmental value, a spar over this land seems certain.
Idaho
Idaho's Governor Dirk Kempthorne responded with effusive praise for the rule. His office told New West that he has not yet had a chance to craft a process to craft a petition.
The Forest Service provides maps of Idaho roadless areas.
Montana
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has expressed interest in providing input, but also has concerns over the demands of comprehensive federal land planning with only one natural resource adviser in his office. As for whether he expected much to come out of the process, he has some doubts, "I think it was a red herring six months ago when he said he was going to take input from Governors. And I think it’s a red herring now. We’ve already built roads to the timberlands." He said he had already had this discussion with officials from Plum Creek, who were in agreement.
The Forest Services provides maps of Montana roadless areas.
New Mexico
Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico has expressed his intent to request continued roadless status for all the inventoried lands in his state.
The Forest Service provides maps of New Mexico roadless areas.
Utah
In Utah, a state that currently boasts 4 to 5 million roadless acres, wilderness activists have a lot to lose. As traditionally anti-conservation territory with a new governor bent on economic stimulation, local environmentalists are viewing the new roadless repeal with jaded skepticism.
“The best we can hope for in Utah is some token protection of an area that’s not already open,� says Kevin Mueller, executive director of the Utah Environmental Congress, a non-profit that works to protect forest service lands. He predicts that conservative Utah and Idaho, states that “have never been excited about protecting roadless areas,� will go through the petition process with thinly veiled intentions, and will end up protecting a few no-brainer roadless areas. “They want to send a message to states like California and New Mexico, where Governor Richardson complained about the undue burden on states, that the petition process is easy,� Mueller explains. “They want to say, ‘We’re happy with it here and you guys have no right to complain.’�
Wayne Hoskisson, the former executive director of Red Rock Forests and the Sierra Club’s public lands chair, predicts new timber sales in the Manti-La Sal Forest, the Abajo Mountains and on the south slope of the Uintas. In addition to concerns about habitat fragmentation and new ATV trails, Hoskisson says the timing of the repeal makes states disenfranchised in the petition process. “Someone needs to appropriate this money, and the governor’s not going to call a special session so the legislature can do that,� he says. Because the state’s budget has already been put in place for the year, appropriations for a petition process that Hoskisson says could cost up to $100,0000 won’t be ready until the next legislative session at the earliest. That lessens the preparation time for good, effective petitioning, he says. “My sense is that it’s going to be like that in most of the West.�
Governor Jon Huntsman's office says the legislature has already appropriated money for the development of a transportation plan. The process for developing that plan is yet to be worked out, but Huntsman is planning to move forward.
Wyoming
Governor Dave Freudenthal has expressed his own suspicions of the rule, charging that it is a one-time deal in a dynamic process that merely adds a new layer of bureaucracy.
The Forest Service provides maps of Wyoming roadless areas.
More info:
- Check out New West's explanation of what the changes mean and the opportunities they could afford the West.
- The Forest Service's official roadless rule site.
New West's Amy Brouillette and Lucy Burningham contributed to this report.
Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.
Comments
Be the first to comment on this article. Please complete the form below.