Red Lodge Clearinghouse

The Pew Environment Group analysis says the proposal -- which is expected to reflect recommendations by Gov. Bill Ritter's (D) task force that most roadless areas be kept off-limits to energy development -- would actually allow drilling on about 100 new oil-and-gas leases.

"It's ironic that Governor Ritter's action taken nearly two years ago to protect Colorado's backcountry forests now could backfire," said Jane Danowitz, Pew's public lands director. "Colorado's national forests could end up as the country's least protected national forests and become a target for drilling and other development."

At issue are the Bush administration's efforts to toss out President Clinton's 2001 roadless rule, which granted blanket protection to 58 million acres nationwide.

The administration has asked states to determine which areas should remain roadless and to petition the Agriculture Department for their designation. But a federal court in California and the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the Bush administration's plan and reinstated the 2001 roadless rule.

Only Colorado and Idaho are continuing with the process to establish their own roadless protections. Other states are relying on the 2001 rule to be upheld in federal court (Land Letter, Jan. 3).

Pew says the Bush administration could use the time before the Colorado plan takes effect next year to institute a rule that would allow development in areas like the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests.

The government has sold more than 90 oil and gas leases in Colorado roadless areas since Jan. 12, 2001, the Pew report says. The leases could allow road building in roadless areas if the 2001 roadless rule is no longer in effect.

The key is how the legal battle over the 2001 rule is resolved. If an appeal of the court decision reinstating the 2001 rule succeeds, it could allow development to proceed in Colorado, the report says.

Pew is urging Ritter to ask the federal government to suspend its rulemaking until the effects of lease development on natural resources are evaluated.

Click here to view the report.

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