Alert! Idaho's Backcountry Forests Need Your Support

Speak Out to Protect Idaho's Pristine Forests

Protect the pristine forests you love by attending a public hearing near you. Check this list for details on a meeting in your area.

Send Comments in Support of Your Favorite Areas

The Forest Service has released a plan to manage pristine backcountry areas, known as roadless areas, throughout Idaho's national forests. Now is the time to act!

The Issue

Idaho is blessed with over 9.3 million acres of backcountry national forest areas. With one of the fastest growing populations in the country, Idaho's rugged, natural areas are becoming more important for preserving opportunities for outdoor recreation, hunting, fishing and our way of life.

In 2001, protections were developed to protect all remaining national forest roadless areas around the country. That rule remains the law of the land. In 2006, then-Governor Jim Risch petitioned the Forest Service to allow for some development in Idaho's pristine forests. The Forest Service has developed a draft plan and is considering weakening some of the protections for Idaho's backcountry forests.

These backcountry areas are the source of Idaho's clean water, critical wildlife habitat and offer the opportunity for solitude, a dwindling resource as Idaho continues to grow.

The comment period closes on Monday, April 7, 2008.

To make sure your voice is heard, you must comment. These special places belong to us all--please speak out!

How Would the Idaho Petition Affect Our Roadless Areas?

To view maps of Idaho's Roadless Areas (pdf files) please click on the links below. Google Earth Files:
To view these files you'll need Google Earth software installed on your computer. Google Earth is available here. For best results, right-click on the links provided below and download or save the linked file to your desktop. Make sure to save the file as a .kmz file.

Additional resources:

What Do I Say in My Comments?

Use your own words to make your points:
  • Weakening protections for Idaho's Roadless areas doesn't make sense, especially as the pressures on these areas continue to mount.
  • All of Idaho's roadless areas should be protected from roadbuilding, phosphate mining and commercial logging.
  • Existing rules already provide the flexibility to address fire risk to protect our communities.
  • Provide specific comments on roadless areas designated as General Forest, where protections would be lifted.
Additional points to make:
  • Emphasize the importance of roadless areas for quality recreation, clean water, fish and wildlife habitat
  • Relate the importance of roadless areas to the economic future of the county
  • Idaho's undeveloped roadless areas provide the best fishing and hunting opportunities and generate millions of dollars per year for Idaho's economy.
  • Idaho's forests have an estimated $660 million backlog of needed maintenance on over 34,000 miles of road.
  • Mention personal experiences that you've had in backcountry areas, or issues that you feel are important.
  • Review the Draft Rule and request clarification on any questions you might have.

Where Do I Send My Comments?

The Forest Service is accepting comments by email until April 7, 2008, at IDcomments@fsroadless.org or send them to:
Roadless Area Conservation-Idaho
PO Box 162909
Sacramento, CA 95816-2909
Or fax to: 916.456.6724

Click here to view photographs and information on some of Idaho's pristine roadless country.

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What People Are Saying About It:

  • "Many of Idaho's crystal clear streams and rivers originate in roadless areas and provide unparalleled opportunities for fishing, boating and recreation." - Loren Albright, an avid Sandpoint fisherman and a member of the National Board of Trustees for Trout Unlimited
  • "My business depends on protecting roadless areas for future generations, and the Adopt-a-Roadless-Area Program will help to do just that." - Andy Munter, owner of Backwoods Mountain Sports in Ketchum
  • "I adopted the Red Mountain Roadless Area, outside of Lowman. I look forward to getting to know the Red Mountain Roadless Area better, and hope that my efforts will lead to long-term protection for Idaho's precious roadless areas." - Leslie Tengelsen, a Boise Resident and Adopt-a-Roadless parent
  • "Roadless areas allow Idahoans to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, and remind themselves why Idaho is such a special place to live." - Jonathan Oppenheimer, Conservation Associate with the Idaho Conservation League in Boise

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