USDA Forest Service acts to conserve roadless areas in Natl forests

[The Straight Story]

USDA FOREST SERVICE ACTS TO CONSERVE ROADLESS AREAS IN NATIONAL FORESTS Announces National Advisory Committee to Help Implement New Rule


WASHINGTON, May 5, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced a final rule that invites input from state governors in the conservation and management direction for inventoried roadless areas within national forests. This rule will provide environmental benefits and help to ensure that the needs of local communities are considered in roadless area conservation.

"Our actions today advance President Bush's commitment to cooperatively conserve inventoried roadless areas within our national forests," Johanns said. " USDA is committed to working closely with the nation's governors to meet the needs of our local communities while protecting and restoring the health and natural beauty of our national forests."

The new rule was developed after the previous regulation, issued January 12, 2001, was struck down by a U.S. District Court in July 2003 and deemed in violation of both the National Environmental Policy Act and the Wilderness Act.

The rule sets a straightforward, collaborative path toward conserving inventoried roadless areas by working with the states on regulations specific to the needs and requirements of each state. It incorporates the department's five conservation principles for inventoried roadless areas. They are:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2005/05/0148.xml

[leftyclimber]

1. Ignorance is strength.

In the spirit of WH grammar (and with apologies to Orwell), can we add "plywood is trees"? :eyes: