Forest Service set to finalize Colorado roadless rule

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Colorado's national forest lands, with roadless areas roughly depicted in blue. MAP COURTESY SOUTHERN ROCKIES ECOSYSTEM PROJECT.

Conservation groups favor national version

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — At long last, a roadless rule for more than 4 million acres of National Forest land in Colorado may get some final shape this week, as state and federal officials announce what they’re calling the “next steps” for a state-based version of the rule.

The roadless rule, in its various incarnations, would essentially prohibit road building on almost 60 million acres of public national forest land across the country, based on its value for wildlife, water, buffers against invasive species. In first proposing the rule, former Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck also talked about the almost overwhelming maintenance backlog on existing roads.

Read more Summit Voice coverage of the roadless saga here.

Gov. John Hickenlooper, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will unveil those next steps at a media event in Denver Wednesday (May 2), with the conservation community watching to see if the newest state version closes loopholes for water development, backcountry logging and energy extraction. (more…)

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Op-ed: Leaders have lost their way on roadless rule

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Politics and forest management don’t mix

Will the Forest Service ever finalize a roadless rule?

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — It’s been so long since former U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck (serving under President Clinton) announced his vision for a national roadless rule that most people have probably forgotten his clear and elegant rationale: Roadless areas are crucial to protecting wildlife habitat, water quality and serve as buffers against invasive species. And, the Forest Service can’t even maintain its existing road system, so why even think about adding new roads.

Since 1998, the rule has been through several political wash-and-rinse cycles, not to mention the legal wringer. As with so many other major land-use decisions (energy development, for example), it’s become and exercise in process rather than a substantive debate about values and science. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, Forest health, forests, public lands, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado Mining Association challenges roadless rule

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Joined by State of Wyoming, the industry group asks for a full appeals court rehearing and rehashes same arguments

Colorado roadless area map

Roadless lands in Colorado.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The legal battle over the management of national forest roadless areas will go at least one more round, as the Colorado Mining Association and Wyoming  this week took the unusual step of asking the full 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear last month’s decision that upheld a 2001 national roadless rule.

Such requests are rarely granted and the roadless case doesn’t have the earmarks of a decision that might qualify for a rehearing, said an attorney familiar with the case. Read the petition for rehearing online here.

The appellate court in October ruled against the State of Wyoming and industry intervenors and in favor of conservation groups, the Forest Service, and the States of California, Oregon, and Washington. This decision formally ended an injunction against the Rule’s enforcement imposed by a Wyoming federal district court in 2008. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, public lands, Summit County news, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Another twist in the roadless saga

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

California congressman wants to revoke roadless status for all federal lands

Will there ever be a roadless rule?

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — In another twist to the seemingly endless saga of roadless land management, Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy has introduced legislation that would lift what he calls restrictive management practices on inventoried roadless areas and terminate both the 2001 and 2005 versions of the national roadless rule.

“Millions of acres of land across the United States are being held under lock and key unnecessarily,” McCarthy said. “My bill acts on recommendations made by the government agencies managing these lands so they are opened up for increased public use. This is just common sense. By opening these lands up to residents of our local communities and across the country for their use and enjoyment, we can help create jobs, boost local economies and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.”

McCarthy’s bill is backed by motorized recreation groups, cattle rancher associations and the National Rifle Association. Some local fire chiefs in California also support the measure, saying it would make it easier to fight fires and to implement logging and forest health plans.

The bill has little chance of ever making through the U.S. Senate, but symbolizes the fierce partisan battle raging over public lands management. The measure is opposed by a broad coalition  of groups representing hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The American Flyfishing Trade Association this week joined Trout Unlimited in blasting McCarthy’s bill as the “Attack on our Sporting Heritage Act. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, federal government, forests, recreation, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, water, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Mountain news roundup

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Jenney Coberly

Dust on snow, roadless rule updates, grizzly cubs delight Grand Teton crowds

A slide reveals a dust-on-snow layer underneath in 2010 — photo by Jenney Coberly

Compiled by Jenney Coberly

Dust on snow density less this year than in 2009 and 2010

Snow watchers have counted nine significant dust events in Colorado, but unlike in recent years, the density of the dust seems less this season, especially in the northern and central regions of the state. “We don’t have as much dust on snow layers to enhance the heat that is sure to come … so it removes one variable on how this runoff will come,” said Jim Pokrandt, spokesman for the Colorado River Water Conservation District.

Portions of Colorado’s high country could possibly see snowpack carrying through summer, a rarity in the last decade.

“It is certainly cleaner than it was in the last couple of years, but it still remains to be seen what’s going to happen,” UCLA research scientist Tom Painter said. “It’s certainly an interesting year.”

Read the full article in the Denver Post.

(more…)

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Summit County: USFS roadless rule meetings set

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Legal battles, debate over access for mining, logging continue

Management of 4.2 million acres of backcountry national forest land is at issue in a roadless rule.

SUMMIT COUNTY — A proposed new U.S. Forest Service rule that would solidify the management of about 4.2 million acres of inventoried roadless areas will be presented at a series of meetings around the state starting May 17 in Denver. A meeting covering the White River National Forest specifically is set for June 16 in Glenwood Springs. Click here to read a summary of public comments on the rule. A full schedule of meetings is posted at the end of this story.

The rule originated in 2001 during the final months of the Clinton administration. It was revoked by the Bush administration, reinstated by a federal court ruling, but rejected in other federal court jurisdictions. The legal battles still aren’t completely resolved.

As a result of the long-running conflict, Colorado moved ahead with adopting a state-specific rule. In Summit County, the rule would affect about 60,000 acres of national forest lands that have generally been managed for their roadless characteristics since the 2002 White River forest plan was adopted. Under the rule, that roadless status would be codified, creating big chunks of formal roadless areas in the Lower Blue, the Snake River Basin, the Tenmile Basin and the Upper Blue. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Dillon Ranger District, Environment, federal government, public lands, rivers, US Forest Service, water, wetlands, White River National Forest, wildfires, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Feds extend national forest road-building moratorium

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

About 4 million acres of roadless national forest lands in Colorado are at issue in the debate over management.

Court ruling on 2001 version of roadless rule is due soon; for now, any proposed projects will get top-level scrutiny

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The long-running debate over management of National Forest roadless areas took another turn Friday as Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that he is extending a policy that requires top-level review of most proposals for projects in those areas. Emergency fire-fighting activities and small-diameter timber cutting are exempted under the interim objective, enabling rangers to improve endangered species habitat and to reduce the risk of wildfires. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, forests, public lands, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Scientists ask Obama to back national roadless rule

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Bob Berwyn
A map of roadless national forest lands in Colorado.

A map shows a broad overview of roadless areas around the state.

Conservation experts claim the Colorado rule  is an ‘artful dodge’ with too many loopholes; state officials say their plan meets unique local needs

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — A panel of conservation scientists and a former deputy forest service chief said Wednesday morning that Colorado’s version of a roadless rule puts valuable ecosystem services at risk by creating a “virtual grab-bag of potential development projects” on roadless national forest lands in the state.

Speaking in a teleconference, the scientists disputed the Colorado claim that the state roadless rule protects more roadless acres than the national version of the rule, which is still caught up in legal limbo. They called on the Obama administration to reject the Colorado version and to stick with the national rule.

At stake is the future management of about 58 million acres of national forest land nationwide and 4.2 million acres in Colorado (about 60,000 in Summit County).

For a list and maps of the roadless areas in Summit County, click here. Visit the U.S. Forest Service national roadless rule web site here.

At the same time, a group of more than 500 scientists sent a letter to the Obama administration asking the Forest Service to uphold the the national rule. (more…)

Filed under: energy, Environment, forest fires, Forest health, forests, gas drilling, pine beetles and wildfires, public lands, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado petitions feds for roadless plan

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

A state-based roadless plan would protect about 4.2 million acres from development. Click on the map for a larger version.

Future management of 4.2 million acres of roadless national forest land at stake in proposal

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter today petitioned the federal government to adopt a state-based plan for the future management of 4.2 million acres of roadless national forest lands in the state.

Management of the inventoried roadless areas, including about 60,000 acres in Summit County, has been in question since the U.S. Forest Service introduced a national rule in 2001 that was later rescinded, revised and challenged in two different federal court jurisdictions.

For a list and maps of the roadless areas in Summit County, click here. Visit the U.S. Forest Service national roadless rule web site here. (more…)

Filed under: federal government, Forest health, pine beetles and wildfires, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Court showdown for roadless rule this week in Denver

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Management of huge tracts of inventoried roadless areas on the White River National Forest is at issue in a federal appeals court hearing this week in Denver.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver will hear arguments in a roadless court case March 10, 9 a.m. in the Byron White U.S. Courthouse, Courtroom 1, 1823 Stout Street

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The long-running battle over management of 58 million acres of roadless national forest lands is headed for a showdown in Denver this week with a hearing before the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Sometime after the hearing, the appeals court will decide whether the hotly contested 2001 national roadless rule will stand as law of the land.

A Summit County map show big tracts of roadless areas in the upper Snake River Basin between Tenderfoot Mountain and Loveland Pass.

Summit County encompasses about 60,000 acres of national forest roadless lands. County officials took a detailed look at the areas in 2005 and 2006. The county commissioners formally offered support for protection of the areas. In a few cases, the county even suggested adding acreage. At the same time, they pointed out the need for fuels reduction work in some of the roadless areas adjacent to local neighborhoods.

The Lower Blue Basin, for example, includes 19,927 acres of inventoried roadless acres scattered across 12 parcels ranging in size from 631 to 6,683 acres, including several identified as having wilderness potential.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals hearing is over an appeal of a 2008 federal court ruling, when U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Brimmer enjoined the 2001 national Forest Service rule that prohibited new road-building across vast tracts of federal lands. (more…)

Filed under: federal government, public lands, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

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