Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns selected members to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee. This committee will provide advice and recommendations on implementing the state petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area Management Rule adopted by USDA in May of 2005.
“These committee members have expressed a keen interest in the
conservation and management of inventoried roadless areas on national
forest lands and represent a diverse set of perspectives and values,” said
Johanns. “I look forward to having the results of their deliberations to
ensure we continue to care for the land and serve people.”
Members of the committee will review petitions submitted by states,
seek consensus, identify issues, and provide the Secretary or the
Secretary's designee with advice and recommendations on implementing the
State Petitions Rule. The committee membership is geographically diverse,
with members from ten states and the District of Columbia.
Members of the committee include: Darin Bird, representing
state-elected officials; Robert Cope, representing locally-elected
officials; Adena Cook and Geraldine Link, representing developed recreation
organizations; Jeff Eisenberg, James Riley, and Gregory Schaefer,
representing commercial interest organizations; Denny Scott representing
organized labor organizations; and Paul Hansen, Dale Harris, Todd Schulke,
Howard Vaughan, and Chris Wood representing environmental organizations.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act establishes a framework for the
public to provide recommendations, advice, ideas, and diverse opinions to
the Federal Government. The Act also stipulates the members of an advisory
committee should represent different opinions and viewpoints.
The State Petitions Rule established a process to provide Governors
an opportunity to establish or adjust management requirements for National
Forest System inventoried roadless areas within their States. USDA will
accept state petitions until November 13, 2006.
