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Speak Up, Protect Our Forests!

The Forest Service and the State of Idaho are set to release a new plan governing the management of Idaho ’s pristine backcountry roadless areas.

Idaho is blessed with over 9.3 million acres of undeveloped backcountry national forest areas. With one of the fastest growing populations in the country, Idaho 's rugged, natural areas will only become more important for preserving clean water, hunting, fishing and our way of life.

In 2001, a national rule was developed to protect all remaining national forest roadless areas around the country. In 2006, the Bush Administration implemented a process to allow states to petition for changes in roadless area management. The State of Idaho petitioned the Bush Administration to change the rules for managing Idaho 's undeveloped backcountry forests.

The petition proposed four “management themes” that would guide management in these backcountry areas. The Secretary of Agriculture “accepted” the Idaho petition. As a result, the Forest Service and the State of Idaho have been working on a draft rule and environmental analysis that will provide more details.

The plan is expected to be released for public comment around December 21.

These special places belong to us all—please speak out!

Take Action:

1. Attend a public meeting in your area

2. Submit comments on the proposal.

3. Write a letter to the editor.

Attend a public meeting:

The Forest Service and the state will sponsor public meetings. Meetings are expected in Post Falls , Bonners Ferry, Wallace, Lewiston , Orofino, Grangevlle, Salmon, Challis, Mackay, Hailey, Pocatello , Idaho Fals, Soda Springs, Twin Falls , McCall, Council and Boise .

The meetings will provide an opportunity to learn about the plan and to offer testimony.

MEETINGS IN SOUTHWEST IDAHO
February 25, 2007
Cascade
Valley County
Courthouse
219 N. Main Street
Cascade , ID 83611
7:00 PM

February 26, 2007
Council
Adams County Courthouse
201 Industrial Ave Council , ID 83612
7:00 PM

February 27, 2007
Twin Falls
Twin Falls City Council Chambers
305 3rd Avenue East
Twin Falls , ID 83301
7:00 PM

February 28, 2007
Boise
Boise City Hall
150 N Capitol Blvd Boise , ID 83702
7:00 PM

Submit comments:

The Forest Service will accept written comments for 90-days. Your comments should focus on specific roadless areas that you are familiar with, address any questions posed in the rule, and be as specific as possible to issues raised by the draft rule.

What Do I Say in My Comments?
Use your own words to make these points:

    * Weakening protections for Idaho 's Roadless areas doesn't make sense, especially as the pressures on these areas continue to mount.
    * All of Idaho 's roadless areas should be protected from roadbuilding, phosphate mining and commercial logging.
    * Existing rules already provide the tools to address fire risk to protect our communities.
    * Provide specific comments on roadless areas designated you are familiar with.

Please make sure to EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS by April 7, 2008 to IDcomments@fsroadless.org

Write a letter to the editor:

Express support for protecting Idaho ’s remaining natural roadless areas.

More Information:

GET INVOLVED:
Along with a number conservation groups from across the state, Idaho Conservation League will be hosting presentations and meetings in communities around Idaho to let YOU know about the draft plan, and what YOU can do to protect these special places. If you would like more information about attending a meeting, or scheduling a meeting for any group you’re involved with (fishing, hunting, conservation group, audubon, sierra club, or even a group of friends!) please contact TOM SCHWARZ at tschwarz@wildidaho.org or toll-free at 877-345-6933 ext. 27. Tom will also be coordinating transportation to public meetings if you live in a community not served by one of the public meetings (i.e. Moscow , McCall, Sandpoint).

The Idaho Conservation League will also provide info at www.wildidaho.org

Download background materials, the Idaho Petition, maps and other files at www.wildidaho.org/update.php

Here is an Idaho Statesman article that might be of interest too: http://www.idahostatesman.com/localnews/story/243392.html