Proposal for Future Management of Roadless Areas in Idaho

[Steve]

BRC IDAHO ACTION ALERT
ALERT STATUS: HIGH IMPORTANCE
ACTION ITEM INCLUDED

Forest Service Releases Draft Rule Based on State of Idaho's Proposal for Future Management of Roadless Areas in Idaho; Public Invited to Comment

The U.S. Forest Service is currently in the process of adopting the State of Idaho's Petition for the management of Idaho's Roadless Areas. The FS has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) based on the Idaho petition submitted to the Forest Service one year ago, first tendered by then-Governor James Risch and endorsed by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter.

The DEIS reflects the petition that then-Governor Risch submitted to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee (RACNAC) on November 29, 2006. As you know, BRC's Adena Cook is a member of the RACNAC. The Committee reviewed the State of Idaho's petition and recommended that the U.S. Department of Agriculture proceed with a proposed rule for public comment. Governor Otter has continued the state's support of the petition and been involved in crafting the proposed rule and DEIS.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on January 7, 2008. A 90-day comment period on the proposed rule will end on April 7, 2008. The Forest Service has scheduled public meetings to present the proposed rule and its effects and accept public comments.

IMPORTANT: This is not an "open house" format that we usually see from the agencies. This is one of those rare "Public Hearing" type format where the public will have opportunity to give oral, recorded comments.

This places a dual responsibility on Idaho's recreationists. We will have to show up at the meetings with colors flying as well as send written (email) comments to the agency. BRC has developed a few comment suggestions below, but the number one most important information to provide is specific information about mountain bike, snowmobile and rubber-tired trails and areas within each Roadless Area.

Please read the info below and put those email and phone trees in full gear. We need maximum participation on this important issue.

As always, if you have any questions or need additional info please call.

Brian Hawthorne and Ric Foster
Public Lands Department
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

BRC IDAHO ROADLESS ACTION ALERT

SITUATION:
The U.S. Forest Service is currently in the process of adopting the State of Idaho's Petition for the management of Idaho's Roadless Areas. The FS has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) based on the Idaho petition submitted to the Forest Service one year ago. A 90-day comment period on the proposed rule will end on April 7, 2008. The Forest Service will schedule public meetings to present the proposed rule and its effects and accept public comments.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Attend a public meeting and send written comments. BRC has developed a few comment suggestions below, but the number one most important information to provide is specific information about mountain bike, snowmobile and rubber-tired trails and areas within each Roadless Area.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The agency is saying that the Idaho Petition will not affect recreation. That's one of those agency things that is absolutely true and absolutely false at the same time. Comments on recreation ARE needed!

For more information contact:
David Hensley - State of Idaho (208) 334-2100; Brad Gilbert - USFS (208) 765-7438; Andy Brunelle - USFS (208) 334-1700

Information on the proposed rule and draft EIS is available at http://roadless.fs.fed.us/idaho.shtml.

IDAHO ROADLESS MEETING SCHEDULE:

Mackay
Thursday, February 14, 2007 7:00 PM
Mackay City Hall
203 S. Main Street
Mackay, ID 83251

Idaho Falls
Wednesday, February 20, 2007 6:00 PM
Shilo Inn, Grand Teton Room
780 Lindsey Blvd
Idaho Falls, ID 83401

Pocatello
Thursday, February 21, 2007 6:00 PM
Holiday Inn
399 Bench Road
Pocatello, ID 83201

Cascade
Monday, February 25, 2007 7:00 PM
Valley County Courthouse
219 N. Main Street
Cascade, ID 83611

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

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

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

WRITTEN COMMENTS:
Comments due April 7, 2008

Send to: IDcomments@fsroadless.org
Roadless Area Conservation-Idaho
P.O. Box 162909
Sacramento, CA 95816-2909; Fax: 916-456-6724

Talking points for the Draft Idaho Roadless Rule and EIS

1. Support the Rule process and commit to participating in the process.

2. An Idaho Rule will achieve:

Certainty for the management of our roadless lands; they can no longer be subjected to a top down one size fits all fiat
It establishes the size and boundaries of roadless lands in a federal rule. These can't be changed unless by another rule.
"Roadless" definitions can't be changed.

It protects the backcountry and primitive character of roadless areas that we all enjoy, yet acknowledges that motorized recreation can and does occur throughout, stating, "Neither the 2001 Roadless Rule nor the Idaho Roadless Rule provides direction on where and when OHV use would be permissible in roadless areas, therefore, there would be no effect on current OHV use in Idaho Roadless Areas."

3. It is a draft, and could be improved.

The DEIS and draft rule fail to state the types of recreation that could occur in the various theme areas as was specified in the Petition.

The Petition stated for Wildlands Recreation, "preserves currently existing routes and class of vehicle, further limitations subject to NF travel planning." and for Primitive, "a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities exist. Campsites may be visible at popular destinations and major trail heads or junctions. Recreation sites accommodate moderate use. Restricted to snowmobiles and motorized vehicles less than 50 inches, change in class of vehicle and designation of new routes is permissible subject to NF travel planning."

Description for these themes in the DEIS give the impression that Wildlands Recreation and Primitive themes favor non-motorized management.

Motorized recreation occurs in these themes. In the Primitive theme, use is quite extensive, occurring in 43% of the areas. Here is a list:

Danskins Wilson Peak Cuddy Mountain
House Mountain Deadwood Rapid River
Rainbow Peace Rock Hells Canyon
Sheep Creek Red Mountain Patrick Butte
Lime Creek Bear Wallow East Meadow Creek
Steel Mountain Snowbank North Lochsa Slope
Ten Mile Needles Meade Peak
Smoky Mountains Council Mountain

Inclusion of this information in the DEIS and rule will give clarifying direction to land managers as they exercise their discretionary authority.

Comments due April 7, 2008

Send to: IDcomments@fsroadless.org
Roadless Area Conservation-Idaho
P.O. Box 162909
Sacramento, CA 95816-2909; Fax: 916-456-6724