- Location
- Desert Beach So Cal
FYI:
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.
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.
