Appeals Court Upholds Roadless Rule Protecting Vast Forest Wilderness

"DENVER — A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a law prohibiting roads on nearly 50 million acres of land in national forests across the United States, a ruling hailed by environmentalists as one of the most significant in decades.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals backed the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule after lawyers for the state of Wyoming and the Colorado Mining Association contended it was a violation of the law.

The ruling affects hunters, fishermen, hikers and campers, giving them confidence that many of the outdoor refuges they have enjoyed will remain in the future. It also protects water quality and wildlife habitat for grizzly bears, lynx and Pacific salmon."

The Associated Press had the story October 24, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Court Upholds Clinton-Era Ban on Forest Road-Building" (Los Angeles Times)

"Ruling Backs Forest Service in Limiting Roads in the Wild" (New York Times)

"Federal Appeals Court Upholds Rule Prohibiting Roads on National Forest Land" (Washington Post)

"U.S. Court Backs Rules Protecting National Forests" (Reuters)