State-Level Petitions for Roadless Areas in the West
The 2005 Roadless rule, published May 5, 2005, provided an opportunity for governors to submit a petition to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding the disposition of roadless areas on National Forest System lands within each state’s boundary. In Febraury, 2007, The Bush administration filed a ‘roadless rule’ appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that challenges the February 2007 judgement affirming legal protections for inventoried roadless areas in national forests. This judgement stated the US Forest Service could not take any action contrary to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
The purpose of this website is to provide information to interested states and stakeholders on state-level petitioning under the 2005 Roadless Rule. The site provides background information on roadless areas and the 2005 Roadless Rule itself, a link to the Forest Service website on roadless areas, a summary of actions taken by Western states on the 2005 Roadless Rule, and a list of key contacts and Internet resources for roadless petitioning in the Western states. This project is supported by the Western Governors' Association, through their 2005 policy resolution (5-18) .
These documents provide you with the most current and comprehensive information available.
Federal Register Notice: Roadless Area Conservation; - December 26, 2007National Forest System Land in Colorado. Notice of intent to prepare an EIS. Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by February 25, 2008. |
The National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act (H.R. 2526 and S. 1478) - May 24, 2007has been introduced in both the House and the Senate. Click here for the press release |
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Status of State Petitioning of Roadless Areas in the West - April 20, 2007 This document briefly descibes each western state's process, status for petitioning and contacts. |
Understanding the background and historical information on this issue will help you place the current information in context.
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Colorado State Press Release - April 11, 2007 Governor Ritter askes Federal Government for ‘Insurance Policy’ for Colroado Roadless Areas. |
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US Dictrict Court Ruling - September 20, 2006 that struck down the Bush Administration roadless area rule that established a process for states to petition the USDA Forest Service for changes in roadless area management. Although it is unclear how the ruling will specifically affect existing efforts, it appears the Administrative Appeals Act will provide the near term vehicle for state petitionings. |
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CA Press Release - July 12, 2006 Gov. Schwarzenegger Petitions Federal Government to Protect National Forest Land, Roadless Areas |
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USDA Forest Service Provides Financial Assistance to Arizona - June 28, 2006 for Addressing Management of Roadless Areas |
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New Mexico Governor Files Petition - May 31, 2006 for complete protection of 1.7 million acres of roadless national forests in New Mexico |
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Oregon Press Release - April 21, 2006 describing the petition process to include evaluating the analyses and inventories of roadless areas used to adopt the earlier rule. The Governor’s staff, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Forestry are coordinating this effort. |
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Washington State Joins Lawsuit Challenging Roadless Rule. - February 9, 2006 Governor Chris Gregoire announced that Washington State will join California, New Mexico and Oregon in a lawsuit that challenges the Bush administration’s repeal of the roadless rule |
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Oregon - November 30, 2005 Governor’s three-part roadless strategy |
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USDA Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Web Site - - November 1, 2005 This site contains information on the Roadless Advisory Committee, financial assistance to states and state-specific information on roadless areas including maps. |
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Lawsuit Pending - 8/30/05 - August 30, 2005 A lawsuit challenging the 2005 Roadless rule was filed by the Attorney Generals of California and New Mexico, as well as the Governor of Oregon. The above link will take you to the California Attorney General's press release and the court complaint filed. |
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Roadless Rule Complaint - August 30, 2005 This is the attachment referred to in the document above. |
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Historical Timeline of Wilderness and Roadless Area Conservation - May 31, 2005 |
Some states are in the process of submitting a petition while other states have decided not to submit a petition. Below are links to state petitions for roadless areas that have been submitted for posting to the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition.
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California - October 25, 2006 |
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Colorado - March 16, 2007 |
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Idaho - October 25, 2006 |
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New Mexico - May 31, 2006 |
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Oregon - October 14, 2005 |
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Utah - April 17, 2007 |
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Washington - November 1, 2005 |
Some western states have established websites dedicated to the Roadless Rule and related issues. A list of known websites is below.
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Arizona - July 24, 2006 |
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California - July 12, 2006 |
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Colorado - April 12, 2007 Dept. of Natural Resources: Roadless Areas Review Task Force |
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Idaho - April 17, 2007 |
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Wyoming - November 30, 2005 Governor's Website |
