Obama Administration Takes Important First Step for National Forest Conservation
The Obama Administration took an important step today toward protecting the nearly 60 million acres of National Forest roadless areas - including more than 4.4 million acres in Colorado - though a new interim directive limiting road building and timber cutting in these backcountry forest areas.
"Colorado Wild believes the interim directive is an important first step towards securing long-lasting protections for the public's roadless National Forests." stated Ryan Bidwell, Executive Director of Colorado Wild. "We appreciate the Obama Administration's continued commitment to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which maintains broad support from Coloradans and the American public."
"However, Colorado Wild remains concerned that a proposed Colorado Roadless Rule, which was initiated under the Bush Administration-lead Forest Service, fails to provide protections for Colorado's roadless forests that are adequate or comparable to the 2001 Rule." stated Bidwell. "Colorado's National Forests deserve the same level of protection afforded to these outstanding areas across the country."
"In light of the Obama Administration's affirmed commitment to roadless area conservation, Colorado Wild hopes that USDA Secretary Vilsack will take steps to ensure that the proposed Colorado Rule is either amended or abandoned in favor of a national rule that provides strong protections for these national treasures." stated Bidwell.
