Federal Court Blocks Ban on Road Building

[Nambe]

CHEYENNE, Wyo. July 14 (AP)

A federal judge Monday struck down a ban on road building in one- third of America's national forests, saying the Clinton administration rule illegally created wilderness areas a power reserved for Congress.

It was the second injunction issued by a federal judge against the ban. The first, on behalf of Idaho in 2001, was overturned in December by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco.

Monday's decision sends the case, brought on behalf of Wyoming, to the more conservative 10th Circuit in Denver. If the two appeals courts issue opposing rulings, the case could go to the Supreme Court. ---
Ride Don’t Drive It’s Global Cool

[canuck]

1. but what harm could a little road do?

The only reason a road is laid through wilderness is for logging or mining trucks. That is the only reason. The cost is not justified for anything else.

also, animals are hesitant to cross roads (and oil pipelines), so this screws up their migration and breeding habits.

[depakid]

2. This is another of Clinton's regulatory failures

Had the administration and its agencies done this properly, there wouldn't be much of an issue for the 10th Circuit to latch on to. Unfortunatly, they weren't all that committed and didn't want to risk the "political capital." Typical of the so called "third way." Sad, but true. Ask anyone with a repetitive stress injury.