Outdoor Industry Association has inked a partnership with The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Outdoor Alliance in support of responsible management of inventoried roadless areas. The three organizations are looking to sustain the high-quality sporting and recreational opportunities provided by America’s backcountry.


Together, these three groups, which represent millions of public-lands users, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging that a directive be issued requiring review of proposed development roadless areas until permanent rules for their management can be resolved.


The letter states, “Our organizations represent diverse groups of public-lands users, including hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, paddlers, backcountry skiers, hunters and anglers… We request that you lead the Department of Agriculture in taking immediate steps to ensure that America’s valuable backcountry national forests are conserved into the long-term future.”


Close to 60 million acres of roadless areas are encompassed within America’s national forests and grasslands.