Idaho has more than 9.3 million acres of backcountry national forest areas or roadless areas, which provide habitat for wildlife, a source of clean water and recreation.
They were protected in 2001 but now the Bush Administration has proposed Idaho Roadless Plan could open millions of those acres to road building, logging and mining.
Is your favorite hunting, hiking, fishing or camping area in danger?
Several important public meetings are scheduled on the roadless area proposal where you have a say in what happens to your favorite recreation area.
They are:
- Cascade - 7 p.m., Feb. 25, Valley County Commission Room, 219 N. Main St., Cascade.
- Council - 7 p.m. Feb. 26, Adams County Courthouse, 210 Industrial Ave., Council.
- Boise - 7 p.m., Feb. 28, Boise City Hall, 150 N. Capitol Blvd., Boise.
The meetings will be opened by a local county commissioner and will include a presentation on the proposed rule by representatives of the U.S. Forest Service and the state of Idaho.
Public comment will follow a question-and-answer period. .
A 90-day comment period on the proposed rule and the draft EIS will end on April 7.
A recent survey showed that 76 percent of Idahoans don’t want industrial development in roadless areas. They want them left the way they are.