A Plan for Idaho's Roadless Areas

A PLAN FOR IDAHO'S ROADLESS AREAS -- (Senate - December 06, 2006)

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, on November 29, 2006, Idaho Governor James Risch presented Idaho's petition for our Roadless Areas to the Roadless Area National Advisory Committee here in Washington, DC. I strongly support this collaborative and comprehensive petition.

The Idaho Roadless process was of a thorough and collaborative nature. Every effort was made to involve county commissioners, members of the public, and a diverse array of participants. Idaho leaders and agency representatives have done an excellent job of including everyone who wished to provide input.

In this case, we have had decades of uncertainty. This petition, as set forth by Governor Risch, has potential to resolve these disputed and difficult issues in a collaborative manner.

The petition is the result of thoughtful hard work intended to reach consensus on a very tough issue. Such decisions seldom provide any one group or individual with everything they had hoped or negotiated to achieve. In this case, it appears to be a fair petition and sets a path forward that will encourage all parties, including those who are in support and in opposition, to resolve their differences and establish Idaho's future road management policy. This is a beginning, not an end.

I commend Governor Risch and his team for their efforts and render my support in behalf of their earnest and diligent effort.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r109:./temp/~r109JRswro