Lewiston, ID: Are “roadless areas” going to be protected from new roads?
The intent is to minimize road-related effects, especially in areas currently classified as having road densities of “none” or “low,” which are made up in part by inventoried “roadless” areas (see Table 3-5, RM-S15). Restoration work in roadless areas or areas with few roads may require additional access. If additional roads are necessary, they can be built if ecosystem analysis at the watershed scale is conducted first, if it can be shown that no adverse effects will result, and if the process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is completed. This process is described in the Draft EIS, Chapter 3, Table 3-5, standard EM-S13. 118. John Day, OR: Current forest plans evaluate roadless areas. The Draft EIS does not need to address this issue at this scale. However, it will be considered during the forest plan revision process (Vol. 1, page 1-26). Why is the Draft EIS obligating analysis work in forest plan amendments for issues that were not addressed in the Draft EIS?
