On May 2, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper announced the release of a plan for the state's roadless areas. The Colorado Roadless Rule provides protection for 4.2 million acres on eight national forests in the state. Of those, 1.2 million acres will be classified as "upper tier" with more restrictive rules then the 2001 Roadless Rule, according to the Wildlife Management Institute. ?However, the plan also reduces protections on the remaining acreage and keeps a small percentage of lands open for ski resort expansion (8,000 acres) and for temporary roads to allow venting for existing coal mines (19,000 acres).

"The new roadless rule represents a characteristically Colorado achievement," said Hickenlooper. "The rule adds landmark protections to millions of acres of our state's spectacular national forests by incorporating the diverse views of people and businesses across Colorado. The rule enhances all that makes Colorado special while at the same time providing a measure of flexibility that supports local economies and ensures communities can take steps to protect themselves from threats of wildfire."

The development of the state plan began in 2005 when then-President Bush relaxed management on designated roadless areas and invited states to develop their own plans. Through an exhaustive planning process, including five public comment periods bringing in over 310,000 comments from across the country, the state and Forest Service negotiated the agreement to ensure adequate backcountry protection while addressing certain state-specific concerns. An updated inventory was carried out during the process adding over 409,500 high quality acres that were not covered by the 2001 Rule and removing 459,100 acres where roadless characteristics were compromised.

The rule prohibits tree cutting and road construction or reconstruction within most of the 4.2 million acres and limits "linear construction zones" such as power lines, pipelines and telecommunication lines. The agreement also provides for the reduction of hazardous fuels within a half-mile of an at-risk community and would allow some fuel reduction for an additional mile if specific ground conditions are met. Existing oil and gas leases within roadless areas would not be affected and only directional drilling would be allowed underneath the 1.2 million acres with highest protection so that there would be no surface disturbance.

"The new Colorado Roadless Rule achieves a responsible balance between the development of our public lands and the conservation of Colorado's backcountry," said Gaspar Perricone, Co-Director of the Colorado-based Bull Moose Sportsmen's Alliance. "The protections offered under this new rule will ensure the conservation of pristine habitat and robust fish and game populations that have made Colorado's public lands a destination for generations of sportsmen."

However not all groups support the final plan with some environmental groups arguing that most of the acreage would have less protection than under current management. In addition, some of the existing oil and gas leases were sold during the gap after President Bush relaxed protections calling into question whether they should be grandfathered in.

"While this policy would provide strong safeguards for a portion of the state's roadless areas, it would set weaker standards than the roadless rule on the majority of lands, leaving them vulnerable to new road construction and oil and gas drilling," commented Jane Danowitz, director of the Pew Environment Group's U.S. public lands program. "The courts have affirmed that the 2001 roadless rule is the law of the land, and we look to the administration to deliver a final policy for Colorado that measures up to the standards the national rule sets."

However, the Forest Service states that there would be little difference between the two options. If the national roadless rule were left in place, they predict up to 146 well pads would cover 587 acres with about 143 miles of roads. Under the Colorado plan, there would likely be 16 additional well pads and 3 more miles of roads.

The plan is expected to be finalized by early June. (jas)