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FOREST SERVICE ROADLESS RULEThe Roadless Area Conservation Rule, as promulgated in January 2001, would prevent logging, road construction, mining, and drilling on 58.5 million acres of unspoiled national forest system lands. In May 2005, the Bush Administration announced its new plans for roadless area management, repealing the popular Roadless Area Conservation Rule and replacing it with a state-by-state petition process. The new plan would give governors the option to petition the federal government for protections for roadless areas in their states, providing no guarantee of protection and potentially opening portions of many favorite hiking destinations to activities that degrade resources and habitat and diminish scenic views and opportunities for solitude.Just announced!House and Senate introduce roadless legislation. Learn more and take action.CURRENT STATUSCourt Reinstates Landmark Roadless Rule! In September 2006, a California federal judge reinstated the 2001 Roadless Rule, overturning a Bush Administration rule that required governors to petition the federal government to protect national forests in their states and would have allowed states to build logging roads through millions of acres of publicly owned national forests.The judge ruled on a lawsuit filed by six states and 20 conservation groups and found that the Bush Administration violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act when it repealed the 2001 Roadless Rule. However, ongoing legal battles continue to threaten the fate of the 2001 Roadless Rule and the lands it protects, which are critical to wildlife, backcountry recreation, and downstream water quality. In April 2007, the Bush administration, along with the timber industry, filed and appeal challenging this latest ruling. BACKGROUNDThe Roadless Area Conservation Rule, as promulgated in January 2001, would prevent logging, road construction, mining, and drilling on 58.5 million acres of unspoiled national forest system lands, except in rare circumstances, e.g. to restore ecological processes, provide habitat for endangered species, or avert catastrophic wildfire. More than half of the lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service have already been impacted by decades of forest clearcutting, oil and gas development, mining, and other industrial uses.In May 2005, the Bush Administration announced its new plans for roadless area management, repealing the popular Roadless Area Conservation Rule and replacing it with a state-by-state petition process. The new plan gave governors the option to petition the federal government for protections for roadless areas in their states, providing no guarantee of protection and potentially opening portions of many favorite hiking destinations to activities that degrade resources and habitat and diminish scenic views and opportunities for solitude. WHY DO WE NEED THE ROADLESS RULE?The many ecological benefits of roadless areas - such as large, undisturbed landscapes, improving air and water quality, and preserving habitat for plant and animal species - are all important to hikers and contribute to the hiking experience. Roadless areas provide myriad opportunities for solitude, renewal, and inspiration in the wild backcountry of national forests, and they include thousands of hiking trails across the country, including renowned footpaths such as the Appalachian, North Country, and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails. In addition, 85% of the revenue generated from national forests comes from recreational activities. Roadless areas are clearly critical for recreation.National Forests alone have nearly 400,000 miles of roads - 10 times the size of the U.S. interstate system. The Forest Service faces a nearly $10 billion backlog of deferred maintenance and reconstruction of existing roads and enormous deficits from the federal timber program. The Roadless Rule was the result of the most extensive public participation in a rulemaking process in history. Despite over 600 public hearings and more than 4 million total comments overwhelmingly in favor of strong roadless protection, including letters from American Hiking and our members, the Bush Administration re-examined and ultimately repealed the policy. The rule has faced numerous legal challenges since it was promulgated, with some judges ruling in favor of it, and others ruling against it.American Hiking strongly believes that roadless area protection warrants national policy guidance. Leaving decisions on road construction, logging, motorized recreation, and other development in roadless areas solely to the local planning process on a forest-by-forest basis or under a state-by state-basis, provides no guarantee of protection. For more information, visit the Forest Service's Roadless Area Conservation Web site and the Heritage Forests Campaign.
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