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Sportsmen Criticize Judicial Action Against Roadless Rule
8/14/08
Federal judge in Wyoming moves to invalidate 2001 Roadless Rule; decision jeopardizes important fish and wildlife habitat on millions of acres of national forests
WASHINGTON ' Sportsmen have voiced their disappointment over a decision by a federal judge in Wyoming to enjoin a rule that banned road construction on undeveloped areas of national forests. They assert that the 2001 'roadless rule' helps sustain healthy fish and game populations and maintains hunting and fishing opportunities that otherwise would be lost. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a coalition of hunting and angling groups, is a longtime proponent of the 2001 rule and the conservation measures it extends to 58 million acres of national forest roadless areas.
'The roadless rule presents a balanced plan for the conscientious management of our national forest backcountry,' said TRCP Roadless Initiative ManagerJoel Webster. 'The federal rule was adopted in 2001 following more than 600 public meetings and 1.7 million official comments from citizens. More than 95 percent of these comments pledged support for roadless area conservation. Tuesday's shoddy decision contradicts the wishes of the vast majority of American sportsmen.'
Yesterday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer upholds a request by the state of Wyoming to issue a permanent injunction against the rule. It marks a new development in the controversial rule, which was the subject of a similar ruling by Judge Brimmer in 2003. While an appeal of the 2003 decision was pending, the rule was supplanted by a Bush administration alternative. This alternative was rejected in 2006 by a federal judge in California, with the 2001 rule then reinstated.
'Roadless areas have been shown to provide secure habitat for big game such as elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep and clean water for trout and salmon,' Webster continued. 'The 2001 roadless rule remains the best law for managing of America's national forest roadless areas. The TRCP will continue to engage our nation's sportsmen to ensure that the roadless rule ensures long-term conservation of prime fish and wildlife habitat and continued opportunities for public-lands hunting and fishing.'
'This ruling further clouds legal waters that are plenty muddy already,' said Tom St. Hilaire, a TRCP vice president. 'This legal uncertainty means that this issue will not be definitively resolved this year, making it imperative that the next presidential administration and Congress embrace the preservation values inherent in the 2001 rule.'
Visit the TRCP Web site to learn more about the importance of roadless areas.
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.
Media Contact:
Joel Webster, 406-360-3904, jwebster@trcp.org
8/14/08
Federal judge in Wyoming moves to invalidate 2001 Roadless Rule; decision jeopardizes important fish and wildlife habitat on millions of acres of national forests
WASHINGTON ' Sportsmen have voiced their disappointment over a decision by a federal judge in Wyoming to enjoin a rule that banned road construction on undeveloped areas of national forests. They assert that the 2001 'roadless rule' helps sustain healthy fish and game populations and maintains hunting and fishing opportunities that otherwise would be lost. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a coalition of hunting and angling groups, is a longtime proponent of the 2001 rule and the conservation measures it extends to 58 million acres of national forest roadless areas.
'The roadless rule presents a balanced plan for the conscientious management of our national forest backcountry,' said TRCP Roadless Initiative ManagerJoel Webster. 'The federal rule was adopted in 2001 following more than 600 public meetings and 1.7 million official comments from citizens. More than 95 percent of these comments pledged support for roadless area conservation. Tuesday's shoddy decision contradicts the wishes of the vast majority of American sportsmen.'
Yesterday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer upholds a request by the state of Wyoming to issue a permanent injunction against the rule. It marks a new development in the controversial rule, which was the subject of a similar ruling by Judge Brimmer in 2003. While an appeal of the 2003 decision was pending, the rule was supplanted by a Bush administration alternative. This alternative was rejected in 2006 by a federal judge in California, with the 2001 rule then reinstated.
'Roadless areas have been shown to provide secure habitat for big game such as elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep and clean water for trout and salmon,' Webster continued. 'The 2001 roadless rule remains the best law for managing of America's national forest roadless areas. The TRCP will continue to engage our nation's sportsmen to ensure that the roadless rule ensures long-term conservation of prime fish and wildlife habitat and continued opportunities for public-lands hunting and fishing.'
'This ruling further clouds legal waters that are plenty muddy already,' said Tom St. Hilaire, a TRCP vice president. 'This legal uncertainty means that this issue will not be definitively resolved this year, making it imperative that the next presidential administration and Congress embrace the preservation values inherent in the 2001 rule.'
Visit the TRCP Web site to learn more about the importance of roadless areas.
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.
Media Contact:
Joel Webster, 406-360-3904, jwebster@trcp.org
