NEWS
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2006

Contact: Serena Howarth
(208) 667-4641

Forest Association Supports Gov. Risch Roadless Petition

Idaho position will foster outdoor recreation, forest health

Coeur d'Alene Intermountain Forest Association (IFA) pledged support today for Idaho Governor Jim Risch's roadless area recommendations, but said they do not go far enough to protect Idaho's forest from rampant forest health problems and catastrophic wildfire.

"We have to face the fact that existing national forest management policies have added to fire danger in these roadless areas," said IFA spokesperson Serena Howarth. "Simply put, some changes to current roadless area management strategies will substantially improve the overall health of Idaho's forests."

Howarth commended Idaho counties and the work they have done to support this petition, saying: "Local government leadership should take the lead in setting management policies for federal lands."

"Without the ability to access roadless areas, we are increasing the risk of these areas suffering from wholesale, unmanageable wildfire," Howarth continued. "So-called "environmental" organizations which oppose forest health treatments need to understand that they are actually doing more harm than good for the forests that we all enjoy. Every year, larger and hotter wildfires burn through the unhealthy forests of the west. Time will show that the right prescription for many of these lands, more than currently identified by the Risch petition, will be for restoration forestry. We need to improve and sustain forest health, and we simply cannot do that if we do not have access."

Gov. Risch's roadless area petition will allow vegetation management treatments in some roadless acreage, but prohibits management in more than 1 million acres. Many of Idaho's roadless areas are overstocked with trees, which choke each other out in competition for nutrients and sunlight. Many of these stands die off from insect infestation or root disease, providing prime fuel for the sorts of catastrophic wildfire seen throughout the Inland Northwest every summer.

Gov. Risch's plan will also allow greater access into roadless areas for hiking, fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation.

"We understand and respect the enormous contributions that Idaho's roadless areas make in terms of people's enjoyment," Howarth stated. "Furthermore, we understand that certain roadless areas in Idaho can and should be left untrammeled by man. However, certain areas should be treated to prevent wildfire, and certain areas which are currently classified as "roadless" should be managed to provide logs and wood fiber for Idaho's economy and for recreational use year-round."

"Modern forest road-building technology allows for access to many of these areas which is entirely sensitive to ecological concerns." she concluded.

The Intermountain Forest Association (IFA) is an organization of wood product manufacturers, timberland owners and related businesses in the northern Rockies. The Association develops and implements solution-oriented policies aimed at securing a stable and sustainable supply of timber on public and private lands.

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