Governor Kaine Announces Federal Approval of State Forest Protection Proposal
– State continues to seek maximum protection of 380,000 acres of forest area –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has accepted Virginia’s petition seeking increased environmental protection of more than 380,000 acres of undeveloped roadless land in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. This federal approval initiates a process for the federal government and Virginia to work together to draft a rule for conserving these roadless areas. 

In March, Governor Kaine asked that the U.S. Forest Service manage Virginia’s roadless areas according to the terms of the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which prohibited new roadbuilding in these natural areas unless necessary for public health and safety.  The 2001 rule was replaced by the Bush Administration last year with a state-by-state petition process requiring governors to petition for more, or less, protection than specified under existing forest management plans.

Virginia has the most roadless acreage of any state in the East.  These remote areas on the publicly owned national forest – 22% of the state’s national forest – provide some of Virginia’s premiere outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and clean water, and are increasingly important for tourism. 

“I believe that, by moving toward the more balanced management of these areas envisioned under the 2001 rule, these roadless areas will continue to provide vibrant wildlife habitat, outstanding recreation opportunities, and clean drinking water for Virginians, now and into the future,” Governor Kaine said.  “I look forward now to working with the Forest Service to develop rules that will achieve the strongest, long-term protection of the maximum amount of undeveloped acreage in our national forests.”

Virginia’s petition noted that, over time, Virginians have sent approximately 90,000 comments to the Forest Service supporting full protection of roadless areas.  It cited a U.S. Forest Service estimate that demand for backcountry recreation in the national forests is projected to increase 170% by the year 2050. The petition also said that Virginia’s national forests already have 3,000 miles of roads, with an accompanying maintenance backlog estimated at $20 million.

The USDA has also accepted petitions by the governors of North Carolina and South Carolina, who also sought full protection consistent with the 2001 rule for the roadless areas in their states. 

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