USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting

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Managing Roads and Roadless Areas What Do You
Think?
USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting
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Agenda

• Overview of roads and roadless areas

• Roadless protection proposal

• Long-term roads policy

• What we need from you

USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting
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Forest Service Roadless Areas
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USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting
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Access to National Forests

• 380,000 miles of road

• 133,000 miles of trail

• 1.7 million recreational vehicles per day

• 0 No Trespassing signs

USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting
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Continuing Controversies

• Access

• Road system deterioration

• Ecological and social values of roadless
  areas

• Economic values of roadless areas

USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting
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Ongoing Debate

• Building new roads into roadless areas

• Congress

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Time Out

• Interim moratorium on road building

• 80,000 comments

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Addressing Roads and Roadless Areas

• Roadless area process

• Long-term roads policy

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On October 13, 1999, President Clinton directed
the Forest Service to develop a proposal to
protect National Forest roadless areas.
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This Proposal Includes Two Parts

• Limit development activities, e.g. road
  construction

• Establish national framework for managing
  roadless areas locally

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Where We Are

• Notice of Intent, October 19, 1999, started
  public comment period

• Comments will be used to build alternatives

• Public review of proposed rule and draft EIS
  starting Spring 2000

• Final EIS and rule, Fall 2000

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Key Questions

• What makes roadless areas special?

• What are some ways of protecting those
  traits?

• What should be addressed in the EIS?

• What alternatives should the Forest Service
  consider?

USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting
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Key Questions Continued

• What do you like about the Forest Service
  proposal?

• Whats missing?

• What needs clarification?

• How would you like to be further involved?

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Long-Term Roads Policy
Designed to make existing road system

• Safe

• Responsive to public needs

• Environmentally sound

• Affordable to the American taxpayers

• Efficient to manage

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Thank You For Your Ideas!
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USDA Forest Service Roadless EIS Scoping Meeting