This is good news for the OHV community!

Our thanks to U.S. Sen. Jim Risch for introducing the bill in 2006 and Sandra Michell, Chairman of the Idaho Recreation Council, for being an advocate of this bill for the last six years.  Thanks also to all the ATV groups for their support.

Thanks can be sent to:

U.S. Senator, Jim Risch www.risch.senate.gov

Sandra Mitchell  [email protected]

BATRC Web Admin

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From: Sandra Mitchell [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 2:32 PM
Subject: idaho roadless rule
BOISE — A federal appeals court has upheld Idaho’s homemade strategy for managing millions of acres of roadless wilderness across the state.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision Monday supporting Idaho’s plan crafted in 2006. The so-called Idaho roadless rule provides the framework for use and protection for more than 9 million acres of federal public backcountry.

The plan was upheld by a federal judge in Boise last January after a coalition of environmental groups challenged its legality.

Monday’s decision was cheered by U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, a Republican who while serving as governor led a collaborative effort to develop a state plan for Idaho’s inventoried roadless tracts.

Risch says the decision affirms the all the work to develop a plan unique to Idaho.

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Idaho Roadless Rule Case Heard

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Hears Case in Portland

Boise, Idaho – The nation’s only successfully state-created roadless plan was heard today by a three judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Portland, Oregon.

U.S. Senator Jim Risch attended the hearing on the plan he created as governor in 2006.  The collaborative effort led by Risch included county commissioners, tribes, timber companies, hunters and environmental and recreational groups that resulted in the creation of different management plans for various tracts within the 9.3 million acres of inventoried roadless areas in Idaho.

“As governor, I saw the need for the different Idaho groups to sit down and come up with our own plan.  The federally-mandated one size fits all approach did not work, and we had an opportunity to craft a plan with people who truly knew the state,” said Risch.  “Working with groups like the Idaho Conservation League and Trout Unlimited, along with loggers, off-road users and other stakeholders, we crafted the only state plan in the nation that protects our land and helps rural communities.”
In 2011, a federal district judge upheld the Idaho Roadless Rule and the decision was appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Following today’s hearing the panel will render their decision in the coming months.

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Permalink: http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2012/11/idaho-roadless-rule-case-heard