Several U.S. state governments and environmental groups were successful in a direct legal challenge to the current administration’s repeal of the Roadless Rule. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Laporte ruled that the Bush Administration did not conduct a satisfactory environmental analysis before making changes that allowed states to decide how to manage individual national forests. The Roadless Rule originally protected 58 million acres of roadless forests in 39 states.

According to the Court, the administration is enjoined from taking any further action contrary to the Roadless Rule without undertaking environmental analysis consistent with judge Laporte’s judicial opinion. In addition, the court found that the Bush Administration failed to comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act.

Outdoor Industry Association was one of the key opponents of the administration’s decision to repeal the Roadless Rule and expressed strong support for the recent court decision. Outdoor Industry Foundation generated 10,000 comments from outdoor enthusiasts in favor of roadless area protection through its Protect Today, Play Tomorrow poster and postcard campaign.

“This decision restores strong national protections for roadless forests and in doing so protects the special qualities that make these destinations special,” said OIA President Frank Hugelmeyer in a prepared statement. “Roadless areas provide important recreation destinations for hikers, paddlers, mountain bikers, climbers, and backcountry skiers.”