Bonners Ferry Local Guide including all of Boundary County Idaho

Ag Secretary approves Idaho roadless plan

Friday, December 22, 2006; KTVB

Governor Jim Risch's plan to manage 9.3 million acres of roadless areas in Idaho has been given unanimous approval to move forward into rulemaking. Idaho's management plan for more than nine million acres of federal roadless areas has been approved by Ag Secretary Mike Johanns. That means the state's proposal to change portions of the national forest management plans for roadless areas now moves into the federal rulemaking stage. Johanns' decision to accept the plan submitted by Governor Jim Risch came a day after the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee recommended approval of the petition. Risch was pleased that the Secretarys approval came so quickly. It is not often that the federal government moves with such speed, but I am very pleased that they have given quick approval to move forward, said Risch. This plan was put together with a great deal of input from Idahoans and others who use and live near roadless areas. The management plan is a common sense approach that benefits the land and the public. There is a great diversity of land and the themes I proposed reflect those different needs. I am very pleased that the federal rulemaking process will now begin. - Full Story