Colorado releases new draft roadless rule
Aug 3, 2009

STATE OF COLORADO
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL R.ESOURCES

Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor

Harris D. Sherman
Executive Director

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Shennan Street, Room 118
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: (303) 866-3311
TDD: (303) 866-3543
Fax: (303) 866-2115


From: Mike King
Deputy Director
Department of Natural Resources

RE: Revised Draft Colorado Roadless Rule


Dear Colorado Roadless Stakeholders,

For the past four years, the state of Colorado has worked with the U.S. Forest Service and a wide variety of stakeholders to develop a permanent conservation framework for the 4.1 million acres of roadless lands within the 11 national forests in Colorado. Today, the state is issuing a revised draft Colorado roadless rule for public review and comment.

Colorado's 363 roadless areas are an irreplaceable source of clean water, wildlife habitat and biodiversity. They also play a critical role in supporting long-term sustainable economic sectors. Over the past two decades, tens of thousands of Coloradans have voiced their support for protecting roadless forests.

The Clinton administration developed a national policy, known as the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, but it remains mired in legal controversy. As an alternative to this continued uncertainty, Colorado has worked diligently to develop its own durable protections for roadless areas in the state that address the on-ground situation in Colorado.

Colorado embarked on a state rulemaking effort in 2005. Following a lengthy public and stakeholder process. the Forest Service published a proposed Colorado roadless rule in July 2008. The state has been listening attentively to the concerns of stakeholders since then, while working with the Forest Service to incorporate recommendations that improve the draft state conservation framework.

Among the revisions made the past 12 months, the state and the Forest Service have updated the roadless inventory to add approximately 160,000 acres of high-quality roadless forests.

The state has made additional recommendations to better balance the need to protect mountain communities and water infrastructure from fire risk with the overall goal of conserving roadless values. Additional revisions by the state also would eliminate new roads for grazing.

During the next 60 days, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources will solicit further public input. Following the comment period, the state will consider making additional adjustments before finalizing its recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The full text of the revised dtaft rule, and links to supporting information, can be found here.
http://www.dnr.state.co.us/roadlessrule.

Comments may be submitted electronically to the following email address: Roadless.Comments@state.co.us

Comments may also be submitted by regular mail to:

Roadless Rule Comments
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
Room 718
1313 Sherman
Denver, CO 80203

Comments will be accepted through the end of business on Oct. 3.

Colorado recognizes that the state rule will be considered in the context of the ongoing national discussion about protecting roadless areas. Colorado also feels that the Colorado rule will ultimately provide a strong, durable conservation framework that is consistent with the Obama administration's policy goals and is tailored to address the unique conditions in Colorado.

We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Mike King
DNR Deputy Director

Links

Colorado Roadless Rule [details]

Colorado releases new draft roadless rule - CO DNR letter 8/3/09 [details]

Organizations

Colorado Department of Natural Resources

Tags: