Roadless Protection

 Background

• In 2001, outgoing President Clinton enacted a Roadless Rule which protected 58.5 million of acres of roadless areas in the United States.
• In 2002, President Bush enacted new regulations which required states to identify areas which should remain roadless in their states. Only two states, Idaho and Colorado, elected to participate in this process.
• In 2002, Governor Ritter signed legislation which identified roadless areas for future protection. This was not quite as protective as the original Clinton rule.
• The next round of citizen organizing opportunities around roadless protection is imminent. The US Forest Service will soon release its Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) for a Colorado specific Roadless Rule. This will commence a 60 day period of public comment and meetings.