Mike
05-09-2005, 06:15 PM
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces that Roadless Areas Will Remain
Roadless in California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that the United States
Forest Service (USFS) has agreed that California's forests will remain
roadless now and into the future. The Governor's announcement follows
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) adoption of a final rule for
the management of inventoried roadless areas.
"California's forests are one of our state's most treasured and valued
resources. I am committed to protecting the vibrant health and
sustainable future of our forests," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "In
keeping with that commitment and the assurances we have from the U.S.
Forest Service, roadless areas in California will remain roadless."
Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman has led the Schwarzenegger
Administration's effort to ensure that California's forests remain
protected and that inventoried roadless areas remain roadless. Since
October 2004, Secretary Chrisman has been working to obtain a USFS and
USDA agreement to develop a rule specific to California. Secretary
Chrisman obtained a commitment from the USFS in a letter he received
earlier this year. Prior to promulgating a California specific rule,
the USFS and USDA have agreed to keep roadless areas roadless.
"In October of last year we said we were interested in having a rule
specific to California so that our forests would remain roadless," said
Chrisman. "We are thankful that USDA and the USFS have agreed to
develop a rule specific to California."
At Secretary Chrisman's request the USFS has agreed to continue to
adhere to the following principles for California. These include;
inventoried roadless area maps will be updated, roads like those used by
Native American Tribes must be preserved, roads not maintained will be
decommissioned and in order that California be able to effectively fight
wildfires, roadless status limitations will not compromise fire fighting
efforts. Unlike wilderness areas, a multitude of activities are
allowed in roadless areas so long as new roads are not created for such
activities. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) dictates that
a specific process must be followed if any new roads or alternative uses
are contemplated in roadless areas.
The management of all USFS lands, regardless of designation, is
important to the state. Gov. Schwarzenegger believes that states must
play a larger role with federal land management agencies to achieve
successful resource stewardship. The Resources Agency will work to
ensure the quality of wildlife habitat conservation, community safety
and broad public support for watershed-based forest management
practices.
Roadless in California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that the United States
Forest Service (USFS) has agreed that California's forests will remain
roadless now and into the future. The Governor's announcement follows
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) adoption of a final rule for
the management of inventoried roadless areas.
"California's forests are one of our state's most treasured and valued
resources. I am committed to protecting the vibrant health and
sustainable future of our forests," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "In
keeping with that commitment and the assurances we have from the U.S.
Forest Service, roadless areas in California will remain roadless."
Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman has led the Schwarzenegger
Administration's effort to ensure that California's forests remain
protected and that inventoried roadless areas remain roadless. Since
October 2004, Secretary Chrisman has been working to obtain a USFS and
USDA agreement to develop a rule specific to California. Secretary
Chrisman obtained a commitment from the USFS in a letter he received
earlier this year. Prior to promulgating a California specific rule,
the USFS and USDA have agreed to keep roadless areas roadless.
"In October of last year we said we were interested in having a rule
specific to California so that our forests would remain roadless," said
Chrisman. "We are thankful that USDA and the USFS have agreed to
develop a rule specific to California."
At Secretary Chrisman's request the USFS has agreed to continue to
adhere to the following principles for California. These include;
inventoried roadless area maps will be updated, roads like those used by
Native American Tribes must be preserved, roads not maintained will be
decommissioned and in order that California be able to effectively fight
wildfires, roadless status limitations will not compromise fire fighting
efforts. Unlike wilderness areas, a multitude of activities are
allowed in roadless areas so long as new roads are not created for such
activities. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) dictates that
a specific process must be followed if any new roads or alternative uses
are contemplated in roadless areas.
The management of all USFS lands, regardless of designation, is
important to the state. Gov. Schwarzenegger believes that states must
play a larger role with federal land management agencies to achieve
successful resource stewardship. The Resources Agency will work to
ensure the quality of wildlife habitat conservation, community safety
and broad public support for watershed-based forest management
practices.