Idahoans have said time and again that they want to see these special places protected.  These pristine forests make up the last intact ecosystem in the lower 48 and are essential to the state’s economy – they are enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of hunters, anglers, and families each year. The people of Idaho deserve to know exactly how the Governor plans to manage these places and right now that is unclear.

The Governor stated that he intends to manage up to 8.5 million acres of roadless forests in a way that is consistent with the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.  Under the 2001 Roadless Rule, road building of any kind is prohibited with limited exceptions, such as when “a road is needed to protect public health and safety in cases of an imminent threat of flood, fire, or other catastrophic event that, without intervention, would cause the loss of life or property.”  If this is indeed how the Governor would like to see Idaho roadless forests managed, a written clarification is essential. 

However the Governor’s plan still intends to open up over 500,000 acres to commercial logging. This is in direct violation of the 2001 Roadless Rule that is currently in effect and the injunction issued yesterday by Judge LaPorte of the Northern District of California.  The injunction clearly states that “the federal defendants are enjoined from taking any further action contrary to the Roadless Rule without first remedying the legal violations identified in the Court’s opinion of September 20, 2006.”  The proposed development on the 500,000 acres is another example of why roadless areas require protection under a national rule, which would protect all roadless areas.