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TRCP Supports Idaho Roadless Rule
9/12/08
Plan will conserve valuable fish and wildlife habitat, sustain hunting and fishing in backcountry areas
WASHINGTON - Following the release of a management plan for Idaho's national forest roadless areas, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has announced its support of the "modified" alternative in the final environmental impact statement for the Idaho roadless rule. Presented to the public on Aug. 29, the plan will dictate future administration of 9.3 million acres of backcountry in the state. The record of decision, which will formally implement the final rule, should be signed in about a month.
"After thoroughly reviewing the Idaho roadless rule, the TRCP believes conservation of some of the state's best hunting and fishing grounds will be assured in the final plan," said TRCP Roadless Initiative Manager Joel Webster. "Lieutenant Governor Risch and the U.S. Forest Service have done an outstanding job in addressing concerns of Idaho residents and sportsmen in its management plan."
The rule-making process was initiated in October 2006, when the state of Idaho submitted a petition to the federal government to rewrite management guidelines for Idaho's roadless areas. The final rule will cap a two-year effort by the U.S. Forest Service and Idaho's government and adapts a previously developed proposed rule that received thousands of public comments, made in part during a series of public meetings held across the state in 2008. The TRCP worked to ensure strong conservation measures for roadless areas in the Idaho rule, involved hunters and anglers and commented on all phases of the plan.
Significant alterations in the "modified" alternative include added protections for 257,700 acres in southeast Idaho, measures that should sustain big-game habitat important to hunters. Other additions clarify phosphate allowances and focus timber cutting in and around communities to protect homes and people from wildfire.
"Southeast Idaho provides some of the best mule deer hunting in the nation," continued Webster, an avid sportsman. "The TRCP is pleased with the modified alternative. Its many improvements will better sustain high-quality hunting opportunities in the Sawtooth, Caribou and Targhee national forests."
"The people of Idaho have united to develop a roadless management plan that should make them proud," said TRCP President and CEO George Cooper. "Lieutenant Governor Risch's staunch leadership resulted in a strong Idaho roadless rule. The sportsmen's community is thankful."
Both Idaho and Colorado elected to develop rules governing management of roadless areas in their states. But sportsmen's support of the Idaho rule-making process contrasts with the situation in Colorado, where hunters and anglers are questioning the current Colorado rule and its potential effects on prime fish and wildlife habitat.
"Colorado sportsmen are dissatisfied with the draft plan for management of the Centennial State's backcountry and are working hard to ensure that these priceless areas receive adequate conservation in the final rule," Webster concluded. "Hunters and anglers support responsible roadless area management because of the habitat security backcountry areas furnish big game and the clean spawning habitat they offer trout and salmon. Idaho sportsmen are confident that the state's new management plan will sustain our outdoor traditions for generations to come."
Learn more about how the TRCP is working with sportsmen to conserve 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
9/12/08
Plan will conserve valuable fish and wildlife habitat, sustain hunting and fishing in backcountry areas
WASHINGTON - Following the release of a management plan for Idaho's national forest roadless areas, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has announced its support of the "modified" alternative in the final environmental impact statement for the Idaho roadless rule. Presented to the public on Aug. 29, the plan will dictate future administration of 9.3 million acres of backcountry in the state. The record of decision, which will formally implement the final rule, should be signed in about a month.
"After thoroughly reviewing the Idaho roadless rule, the TRCP believes conservation of some of the state's best hunting and fishing grounds will be assured in the final plan," said TRCP Roadless Initiative Manager Joel Webster. "Lieutenant Governor Risch and the U.S. Forest Service have done an outstanding job in addressing concerns of Idaho residents and sportsmen in its management plan."
The rule-making process was initiated in October 2006, when the state of Idaho submitted a petition to the federal government to rewrite management guidelines for Idaho's roadless areas. The final rule will cap a two-year effort by the U.S. Forest Service and Idaho's government and adapts a previously developed proposed rule that received thousands of public comments, made in part during a series of public meetings held across the state in 2008. The TRCP worked to ensure strong conservation measures for roadless areas in the Idaho rule, involved hunters and anglers and commented on all phases of the plan.
Significant alterations in the "modified" alternative include added protections for 257,700 acres in southeast Idaho, measures that should sustain big-game habitat important to hunters. Other additions clarify phosphate allowances and focus timber cutting in and around communities to protect homes and people from wildfire.
"Southeast Idaho provides some of the best mule deer hunting in the nation," continued Webster, an avid sportsman. "The TRCP is pleased with the modified alternative. Its many improvements will better sustain high-quality hunting opportunities in the Sawtooth, Caribou and Targhee national forests."
"The people of Idaho have united to develop a roadless management plan that should make them proud," said TRCP President and CEO George Cooper. "Lieutenant Governor Risch's staunch leadership resulted in a strong Idaho roadless rule. The sportsmen's community is thankful."
Both Idaho and Colorado elected to develop rules governing management of roadless areas in their states. But sportsmen's support of the Idaho rule-making process contrasts with the situation in Colorado, where hunters and anglers are questioning the current Colorado rule and its potential effects on prime fish and wildlife habitat.
"Colorado sportsmen are dissatisfied with the draft plan for management of the Centennial State's backcountry and are working hard to ensure that these priceless areas receive adequate conservation in the final rule," Webster concluded. "Hunters and anglers support responsible roadless area management because of the habitat security backcountry areas furnish big game and the clean spawning habitat they offer trout and salmon. Idaho sportsmen are confident that the state's new management plan will sustain our outdoor traditions for generations to come."
Learn more about how the TRCP is working with sportsmen to conserve 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
