IDAHO FALLS - The Caribou-Targhee Forest has about 1.5-million acres of roadless land in Idaho. Roadless areas are defined as spaces of land that have been inventoried over time. They don't include any constructed roads. But, they may include off-road vehicle or ATV trails.

The endless debate includes whether to allow constructed roads, timber harvest, or mining in these areas.

In 2006, then Governor of Idaho, Jim Risch, worked with the Forest Service and decided to try a statewide approach to resolve this problem.

"That's culminating right now in the release of the final environmental impact statement which outlines how the 9.3 million acres of roadless roads will be managed in Idaho," explains Forest Supervisor Larry Timchak.

The environmental study centers on management. It includes setting aside wilderness area and defines areas where roads can be built and timber can be harvested.

"Essentially I think the plan has reached a balance of the 9.3 million acres in the state of Idaho, only 400-thousand acres would be classified as 'General 4's' which would allow future road constructions so as you can see a vast majority of acres are being managed to protect their roadless values," says Timchak.

The other side wants all the land protected with no roads, timber, or mining.

"In Idaho here, I think there's general support of roadless lands for hunting and fishing and recreation and clean water, open space. So I think we're hopefully past that debate and it's really now more of a focus on do we protect all of them or does this plan represent the right balance and I think it does represent the right balance," said Timchak.

The study will be published in the federal registrar Friday September 5. The decision will likely be made 30 days after by the secretary of agriculture. The rule would go into effect immediately.

If approved, the specific areas affected and management rules will be posted on the forest service website.
This doesn't necessarily mean roads will be built...just that they have the ability to do so if there is a need. Some proposals in the smokey canyon mine have been drafted. If passed, construction of those roads could be within the next year or so.

Now you know the details of the story, but we want to know what you think. It's your turn to talk. Send us an email to yourturn@kidk.com and tell us if you think this new proposal actually serves both sides, or if you think it needs to be revised.