Committee hears broad support for protecting 'roadless' public lands; sponsor open to editing language
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Summary
Representative Burrows presented HR 44, a nonbinding resolution urging stewardship of public lands and opposing rescinding of inventoried roadless-area protections; conservation groups testified in support and sponsor offered to remove explicit 'roadless rule' language if committee prefers.
Representative Burrows told the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee that House Resolution 44 is a carefully limited statement of values, not law, intended to communicate New Hampshire residents’ interest in stewardship of federal and state public lands, including the White Mountain National Forest, trails and conserved forests.
"This resolution recognizes a basic reality, which is that decisions made at the federal level have direct consequences here in New Hampshire," Burrows said, urging the committee to recommend HR 44 as "ought to pass." She emphasized the resolution would not restrict forest management or bind federal agencies but would oppose efforts to roll back protections for inventoried roadless areas.
Committee members questioned the language that references the federal "roadless rule," with Representative Darby and others asking whether the committee should delete or soften that phrasing. Burrows said she would be comfortable if members wanted to remove the reference to avoid appearing critical of an existing federal rule.
Public testimony in favor came from Kenard Solon, a Sierra Club member, who described roadless areas as water catchments, wildlife habitat and important recreation resources that support the state’s outdoor economy. Solon cited research that roads near previously roadless areas increase human ignitions and stressed water protection and biodiversity as reasons to preserve such areas.
The committee closed the hearing and invited amendments for the next meeting. Clerks recorded public-submission counts: 88 online in favor, two opposed, and one blue‑sheet in favor for the item on the day’s record.