Gov. Ritter offers roadless rule

Gov. Bill Ritter's administration on Monday floated an updated state plan for managing national forest roadless areas — and immediately drew fire from environmental and sportsmen's groups pressing for stricter protection. The latest proposal makes allowances for road-building specified in Community Wildfire Protection Plans. It also makes exceptions for water supply, mining and power companies. Total protected acreage under Ritter's latest proposal would increase slightly — 4,184,000 acres, up from 4,031,000 in a 2008 draft that also drew heavy criticism. Both fall short of the 4,243,500 acres protected under the last federal standard before President George W. Bush in 2005 told states they could make their own rules. "It doesn't matter how many acres are protected unless you provide good protection," said Ryan Bidwell, director of Durango-based Colorado Wild, echoing views of other advocacy groups. Others are calling for a consistent national standard and urged Obama administration officials to reject Colorado's efforts. "Colorado's plan falls seriously short of the standard," said Jane Danowitz, public lands director at the Pew Environment Group think tank in Washington, D.C. "These are the last wild forests."...DenverPost