News Release
USDA Forest Service
Washington, D.C.
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FS-0020 |
Contact:
Pete Pierce, 202-205-1294 |
FOREST SERVICE
RELEASES PROPOSAL FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF ROADLESS
AREAS
WASHINGTON, May 9, 2000 -- Forest
Service Chief Mike Dombeck today outlined the proposal
to end road construction in nearly one quarter of
the 192 million acre National Forest System. The
proposal addresses more than 54 million acres of
inventoried roadless areas and additional unroaded
areas on national forests and grasslands. Also released
today was a draft environmental impact statement
(DEIS) explaining the basis for the proposal.
The proposal:
- prohibits new roads in 43 million acres of inventoried
roadless areas within the National Forest System;
- provides opportunities for additional protection
for the inventoried areas and other smaller unroaded
areas through local forest planning; and
- defers until 2004 the decision on providing
additional protection for an additional 8.5 million
acres on the Tongass National Forest.
Rapid development and shrinking open space
make our remaining roadless areas increasingly valuable
to many people, said Dombeck. New roads
pose the most immediate threat to the many social
and ecological values of these areas, he continued.
The proposal seeks to balance local needs
with maintaining the values of our remaining roadless
areas. At the same time, roadless areas would remain
open for public use, access and recreation,
Dombeck said.
To help people review, understand and improve the
proposal, more than 300 meetings are scheduled throughout
the country. Every national forest and grassland
will host two types of meetings.
Information-sharing meetings starting in late May
are designed for people to review the proposal and
ask questions. Public comment forums in late June
will provide opportunity for people to verbally
express their opinions for the record. A schedule
of meetings is available on the website <roadless.fs.fed.us>
and at all national forest and grassland offices.
Written public comment will also be accepted at
both types of meetings and throughout the public
involvement period. All comments must be received
by July 17, 2000. Comments can also be sent directly
via facsimile to 877-703-2494 or mailed to: USDA
Forest Service-CAET; Attention: Roadless Area Proposed
Rule, PO Box 221090, Salt Lake City, UT 84122. People
can also comment directly at the roadless website,
<roadless.fs.fed.us>.
The proposed rule, DEIS, a summary, maps and appendices
are available at the <roadless.fs.fed.us>
website. This information will also be available
for review at the public meetings, all Forest Service
offices, and at major public libraries. People can
also call the roadless toll-free information number,
1-800-384-7623 or locally, call 703-605-5299.
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