U.S. plans roadless forests guideline

Swinging through Colorado to promote legislation aimed at adapting to climate change, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared Monday that there will be a national plan for managing roadless forests. But he stopped short of squelching Colorado's efforts to develop its own plan, lauding Gov. Bill Ritter's efforts to build consensus. "You obviously want input. You obviously want a national roadless rule that has as much broad-based support as possible," Vilsack said, responding to media questions after a discussion with agricultural producers and Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado. The Obama administration "is very committed to protecting the roadless areas generally. We think there needs to be a national approach to this," Vilsack said. Colorado officials have resolved to press ahead developing a state plan to replace a 2001 federal rule that protected 58.5 million roadless acres, including 4,243,500 in Colorado. Colorado's latest draft would protect 4,184,000 acres and allows road-building for water supply, mining, power and fire breaks...DenverPost