Apr 11, 2007 11:54 pm US/Mountain
Ritter Submits Revisions To Roadless Petition
by Steven K. Paulson, AP Writer
DENVER (AP) ―
Gov. Bill Ritter asked the federal government for an "insurance policy" Wednesday to protect 4.1 million acres of roadless areas in the state from development, modifying a petition submitted last year by former Gov. Bill Owens.
Ritter told the Agriculture Department and the U.S. Forest Service he wants interim protection for Colorado's roadless areas while the federal government reviews whether to keep wilderness-style protections for the lands.
He also said he wanted the state Department of Natural Resources and Division of Wildlife to be able to work with federal land managers on any proposed activity within the roadless areas.
He also asked that some areas in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests be classified as roadless, with limited exceptions for temporary roads and other activities associated with coal exploration and development.
Dave Peterson, a spokesman for the Wilderness Society, said Ritter's proposal fixes some problems in Owens' petition but it also leaves too much leeway for road-building for timber and grazing.
"There is no restrictive language and it would allow roads in roadless areas," Peterson said.
Ritter praised the Colorado Roadless Area Review Task Force, whose recommendations formed the basis of the Owens' petition. But said he is concerned a court could eliminate roadless protections that now in place, so he wants an "insurance policy" in case that happens.
"I am supporting the vast majority of its recommendations. However, there are a limited number of matters that require some modification," Ritter wrote in a letter to the two federal agencies.
"The 2006 petition, as modified by this letter, recognizes Colorado's commitment to protecting our invaluable wild places and at the same time allowing for limited activity where unique circumstances exist," Ritter wrote.
"This issue is extremely important to Colorado's hunters, anglers and citizens in general. With the modifications set forth in this letter, I look forward to working with you to promulgate a Colorado Rule which will protect Colorado's roadless areas," he wrote.
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