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Back in January of 2001, the U.S. Forest Service formally adopted the Roadless Rule -- a policy requiring that 58 million acres of roadless, national forest wild lands be kept free from new roads, logging, mining, or development. It was a great victory for all who love wild places, but shortly after the Bush Administration came into office, that Roadless Rule became the target of the timber industry and pro-logging state governments. Under political pressure, the Roadless Rule was weakened and then replaced by a new roadless policy that was fiercely opposed by conservation groups. That policy allowed logging, road-building, and development in roadless areas unless governors of individual states formally petitioned against such entries. Certain state governments and a host of environmental groups filed lawsuits against the loss of the original Roadless Rule that preserved wild land values in the roadless areas. On September 20th, a federal judge finally ruled on the litigation. That decision was a total victory for those who love wild places! Judge Elizabeth Laporte ruled that the Bush Administration violated environmental laws when it repealed the 2001 Roadless Rule. The court reinstated the 2001 Rule nationwide and enjoined any management activity contrary to the Rule, except in the Tongass National Forest. What that means is that at least for the next few years, all national forest roadless areas in the lower 48 states will be kept free from new logging, roads, or development. This hinges, of course, on the court decision staying in place despite appeals that are certain to be filed by anti-environmental forces. But for the moment, at least, this is truly a time to celebrate!
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