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CURRENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESS RELEASES
SOURCE: Forest Service, May 9, 2000.
ROADLESS AREA CONSERVATION -
SUMMARY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMACT STATEMENT
LAST DAY TO COMMENT IS JULY 17
The Forest Service is proposing new regulations to
protect certain roadless areas within the National
Forest System. This proposed rulemaking and
accompanying Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) respond to strong public sentiment for
protecting roadless areas and the clean water,
biological diversity, dispersed recreational
opportunities, wildlife habitat, forest health, and other
public benefits provided by these areas. This action
also responds to budgetary concerns and the need to
balance management objectives with funding priorities.
Public comments were considered in development of
this DEIS in order to refine the scope of the decision to
be made, identify significant issues, shape alternatives,
identify possible mitigation measures, and direct the
analysis of effects. The proposed action would prohibit
road construction and reconstruction in inventoried
roadless areas and require responsible Forest Service
officials to evaluate whether and how to protect
roadless characteristics as part of the forest planning
process at the next forest plan revision. At the national
level, the proposed rule covers inventoried roadless
areas within the Tongass National Forest in a special
provision. That specifically notes that the decision
would be subject to existing statutory direction uniquely
applicable to the Tongass National Forest. Twelve
alternatives were fully developed and considered,
including 4 each for prohibited activities, procedural
evaluation requirements, and alternative treatments for
the Tongass National Forest. A no action alternative
was considered in each case.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://roadless.fs.fed.us/
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