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AMA
Release
US Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns
recently approved petitions from North Carolina Governor Mike Easley,
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to
develop state-specific rules for managing roadless areas in the three
states. The three petitions were recently reviewed by the 13-member
Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee, established by
Johanns to provide advice and recommendations on implementing the State
Petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area Management Rule.
The US Forest Service will now work with North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia to develop and publish proposed
state-specific rules that address the management requirements set forth in
the petitions. The state-specific rulemaking process will include any
required National Environmental Policy Act analysis and invite public
input during a notice and comment period. USDA will make the determination
on the adoption of any final federal rule.
The State Petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area
Management Rule was adopted by USDA in May 2005 and established a process
to provide governors an opportunity to establish or adjust management
requirements for National Forest System inventoried roadless areas within
their states. For more information, visit www.roadless.fs.fed.us. |
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