As an avid outdoorsmen, hunter, fisherman, hiker, and boater, I thank you, and my grandchildren thank you. Nice job.
http://www.msnbc.com/local/keci/58804.asp
Clinton signs roadless initiative
NBC Montana
MISSOULA Its the biggest move of its kind in US history and it comes in the final days of the Clinton Administration.
In his last days of office, President Clinton is trying to rival Teddy Roosevelt, who set aside more public land than anyone else has. On Friday, Clinton signed a roadless initiative affecting land in 39 states, including our forests here in Montana.
On Friday at the National Arboretum, President Clinton approved an initiative that will eventually put nearly 60 million acres in 39 states off limits to road construction, including 6.4 millions here in Montana and nine million acres in the northern region.
Director of Ecosystem Assessment and Planning Rick Roberts said, What the president proposed today would put a prohibition in place for that nine million acres for future road construction and reconstruction.
Major national forests included are Pagoda Peak in Colorado, the American Rivers North Fork in California, and Alaskas Tongass National Forest.
Roberts said, Within the state of Montana the forests that will be affected a lot are the Bitterroot National Forest, Beaverhead, and Kootenai National Forest.
However, the order signed by Clinton does not eliminate any existing access or restrictions on permits or contracts that are already in place.
Roberts said, Any OHV use, outfitter guide use, or recreational use that is happening today or exists today will continue under this plan.
This plan is causing a mixed reaction from environmentalists.
Roberts said, Some environmentalists will be very pleased and some will think that it didnt go far enough.
Some in congress already urging President-elect Bush to try to scrap what they call misguided regulations.
Roberts said, Weve got a crisis here, an energy crisis. So we have to make these lands available for exploration.
Any action to overturn this wont happen until Bill Clinton is long gone from the White House.
Rick Roberts said that he hopes when they start discussing individual plans. There will be more local involvement because recreational issues will be on the local level rather than the national level. He also said that there is a lot of discussion within the community about off road vehicle use. Owners are scared this may prohibit any access for them.
http://www.msnbc.com/local/keci/58804.asp
Clinton signs roadless initiative
NBC Montana
MISSOULA Its the biggest move of its kind in US history and it comes in the final days of the Clinton Administration.
In his last days of office, President Clinton is trying to rival Teddy Roosevelt, who set aside more public land than anyone else has. On Friday, Clinton signed a roadless initiative affecting land in 39 states, including our forests here in Montana.
On Friday at the National Arboretum, President Clinton approved an initiative that will eventually put nearly 60 million acres in 39 states off limits to road construction, including 6.4 millions here in Montana and nine million acres in the northern region.
Director of Ecosystem Assessment and Planning Rick Roberts said, What the president proposed today would put a prohibition in place for that nine million acres for future road construction and reconstruction.
Major national forests included are Pagoda Peak in Colorado, the American Rivers North Fork in California, and Alaskas Tongass National Forest.
Roberts said, Within the state of Montana the forests that will be affected a lot are the Bitterroot National Forest, Beaverhead, and Kootenai National Forest.
However, the order signed by Clinton does not eliminate any existing access or restrictions on permits or contracts that are already in place.
Roberts said, Any OHV use, outfitter guide use, or recreational use that is happening today or exists today will continue under this plan.
This plan is causing a mixed reaction from environmentalists.
Roberts said, Some environmentalists will be very pleased and some will think that it didnt go far enough.
Some in congress already urging President-elect Bush to try to scrap what they call misguided regulations.
Roberts said, Weve got a crisis here, an energy crisis. So we have to make these lands available for exploration.
Any action to overturn this wont happen until Bill Clinton is long gone from the White House.
Rick Roberts said that he hopes when they start discussing individual plans. There will be more local involvement because recreational issues will be on the local level rather than the national level. He also said that there is a lot of discussion within the community about off road vehicle use. Owners are scared this may prohibit any access for them.