The Clinton-era 2001 Roadless Rule has been in and out of courts since Clinton's announcement on Reddish Knob in the George Washington National Forest back in November of 2001. By decision of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2009, the Rule is currently law of the land. However, the viability of the Rule now hangs with the 10th Circuit Court, who will make a decision in 2010. Congressional action is the best road to permanent protection for our roadless areas - and that process is now underway.
H.R. 3692, the National Forests Roadless Area Conservation Act, was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 1, 2009. In the Senate, S. 1738, the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2009, was also introduced in October 2009. The legislation directs the Department of Agriculture to maintain the roadless character of the inventoried roadless areas, and authorizes the Forest Service to modify roadless maps to improve their accuracy and inclusiveness.
This would be a major victory for forests across Virginia as well as across the nation. Currently, the Forest Service does not amend the inventoried roadless maps, and newly-identified roadless areas are not protected under the 2001 Roadless Rule. For example, the Forest Service has proposed a timber sale in the Marshall Run area, which lies in the heart of the Beech Lick Knob un-inventoried roadless area; under current law, that area will not be protected by the Roadless Rule, even if the Forest Service acknowledges that it meets roadless criteria in its Management Plan. (Read more about Southern Environmental Law Center's effort to protect this special area.)
Congressional action for a new law to protect roadless areas would not only remedy the tenuous nature of the current Roadless Rule, but would improve it to allow amendment of maps.
Take action! We are currently asking Congressman Rob Wittman (R-1st District, VA) to become a co-sponsor of the House bill, H.R. 3692. Write to Rep. Wittman and encourage his support!