Colorado Secures Delay in Implementation of Roadless Management Plan

Denver, CO --- Earlier today Governor Ritter announced that the State of Colorado secured a vital delay that prevents the Forest Service’s rush to implement a new management plan for the state’s pristine backcountry roadless areas. These landscapes represent some of the most outstanding recreational assets of the intermountain West attracting visitors from around the world. These visitors contribute an estimated $10 billion to the state’s economy and provide jobs for over 100,000 residents of the state.

This past fall, thousands of citizens who value the experience these incredible backcountry areas provide, flooded the U.S. Forest Service with public comments against rushed implementation of an unbalanced plan for the management of these areas that would have undermined protections currently in place with the 2001 Roadless Rule.

Governor Ritter has pledged to conserve Colorado’s 4.4 million acres of national forest backcountry and petitioned the federal government to develop the plan for management of these lands. Instead of developing a plan that would have truly protected these areas, the federal government attempted to hastily complete a rulemaking in the waning days of the current Administration that would make undeveloped backcountry areas vulnerable to new development and degrade some of the state’s most highly valued lands for outdoor recreation. These areas include some spectacular whitewater destinations such as sections of the Animas and Poudre Rivers.

Earlier this year we asked for the Governor’s support in slowing down this process to provide all stakeholders with the necessary time to evaluate the consequences of proposed federal actions. As a member of the Outdoor Alliance, American Whitewater partcipated in the evaluation of the proposed rule on behalf of the outdoor recreation community. We specifically requested that preserving roadless characteristics be the express mandate of any new rule, qualitative and quantitative value of outdoor recreation be directly factored into the rule, any changes to roadless areas involve robust public participation, a cradle to grave approach to roads that assures ecosystem protection, and a more conservative approach towards creation of any new roads.

“These wild areas provide unmatched hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, paddling and other recreational opportunities for millions of Americans.” notes Nathan Fey Colorado Stewardship Director for American Whitewater. “Attempts to open pristine backcountry to industrial development underscore the need for reliable, nationally consistent protections for all of America’s last roadless areas. These national forests are an important part of the state’s heritage and way of life.”