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Missoula forum urges Forest Service to keep 2001 Roadless Rule, citing risks to wildlife, water and recreation
Summary
Dozens of Missoula residents and three expert panelists urged the U.S. Forest Service to retain the 2001 Roadless Rule at a packed forum, warning that new roads would fragment habitat, warm headwaters and degrade backcountry recreation; the meeting transcript will be submitted to the Forest Service's forthcoming EIS comment period.
A packed public forum in Missoula on the U.S. Forest Service's proposed rollback of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule concluded with panelists and dozens of residents urging the agency to preserve roadless protections to safeguard wildlife habitat, cold-water fisheries and the backcountry experience.
"We are here tonight to discuss the future of the roadless rule and the management of our national forests," said facilitator Tori Anderson, who opened the meeting and told attendees the full transcript will be submitted to the Forest Service's draft environmental impact statement (EIS) comment period, expected in late March or early April.
Panelists framed the stakes. Jim Burchfield, introduced as a former dean at the University of Montana's College of Forestry and Conservation, said large, unroaded areas are key to protecting clean water and biodiversity and cautioned that roads increase human ignitions and…
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