Welcome to the U. S. Forest Service Colorado Roadless Rule
On May 2, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper announced the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement for the final Colorado Roadless Rule. The preferred alternative identified in the impact statement provides conservation for 4.2 million acres of National Forest roadless areas within Colorado. There are 363 roadless areas throughout Colorado located in eight National Forests, which would now be managed under the 2012 Colorado Roadless Rule. Future forest plans and revisions will be consistent with the provisions of the Colorado Roadless Rule. A roadless area is undeveloped land that is generally at least 5,000 acres, and has a number of unique characteristics.
The preferred alternative for the Colorado Roadless Rule:
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More protection than the 2001 Roadless Rule, while also providing flexibility to meet Colorado’s unique needs;
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1.2 million acres in a higher category of protection than 2001 Rule;
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More flexibility to protect communities from catastrophic wildfires through provisions for hazardous fuel treatment in urban areas that are near forests;
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Protects more roadless acres than the 2001 Rule. An updated inventory that adds high-quality acres (409,500 acres) not covered in the 2001 Rule and removes areas (459,100 acres) where roadless characteristics were compromised;
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Addresses economic and job growth concerns by allowing for more flexibility of ski areas and access for construction of methane venting associated with existing and future coal mining within the North Fork area; and
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Does not affect valid existing rights in roadless areas such as valid existing oil and gas leases and the development rights or restrictions association associated with those leases.
The preferred alternative reflects the views and concerns of thousands of people who expressed interest during the rule-making process. From July 2006 to April 2011 there were five public comment periods resulting in more than 310,000 comments from people throughout the country. The final Colorado Roadless rule will be finalized a minimum of 30 days after the Final Environmental Impact Statement is published in the Federal Register.
Final Documents:
FEIS - (pdf - 3532k)
FEIS Executive Summary - (pdf - 548k)
FEIS Appendices - (pdf - 16202k)
FEIS Map Packet
Civil Rights Impact Analysis - (pdf - 2895k)
Regulatory Impact Analysis - (pdf - 311k)
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis - (pdf - 1110k)
2011 Revised Draft Documents:
Proposed Colorado Roadless Rule, Office of the Federal Register 04/15/2011 - (pdf - 143k)
RDEIS - (pdf - 4523k)
RDEIS Summary - (pdf - 969k)
RDEIS Appendices
RDEIS Errata - (pdf - 185k)
RDEIS Map Packet
Civil Rights Impact Analysis - (pdf - 912k)
Regulatory Impact Assessment - (pdf - 939k)
Recent News and Information
Ruling of the 2001 Roadless Rule
During the month of October the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled. Currently, the 10th Circuit ruling does not affect the Colorado Roadless Rule. On December 5, 2011 the State of Wyoming petitioned the 10th Circuit to review the October decision. This review was rejected by the 10th Circuit, lifting the injunction prohibiting the implementation of the 2001 Roadless Rule by the District court of Wyoming. Until the injunction is lifted, the status quo for roadless area management is the 2001 Roadless Rule.
Tenth Circuit Opinion - (pdf - 267k)
View Public Comments
The Public Comment Period closed on July 15th, 2011. Comments may be viewed by clicking here.
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