Outdoor Alliance Working to Protect Roadless Areas

For Immediate Release
03-31-08
Contact: Drew Vankat, IMBA Policy Analyst
drew@imba.com
303-545-9011

The Outdoor Alliance is asking human-powered trail users to support continued protection of U.S. Forest Service Roadless Areas. Currently at risk are 9.3 million acres of Forest Service lands in Idaho, including some of our nation's most spectacular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and the largest intact ecosystem in the Lower 48 states.

Roadless Areas provide some of the country's best mountain biking. Colorado's Monarch Crest Trail and the 96-mile Maah Daah Hey in North Dakota - both IMBA Epics - are also within Roadless Areas. Many of the best Forest Service trails east of the Mississippi are also in Roadless Areas.

Tell the Forest Service to protect these valuable lands!

Forest Service Roadless Areas total 58.5 million acres in 39 states, or about 31 percent of our National Forests, and are ecological gems with clean air, water and plenty of wildlife. These lands are generally accessible and open to a variety of human-powered recreational pursuits, including mountain biking.

Americans decided to protect all Roadless Areas in 2001, but a new proposal would remove these protections, opening the door to new roads and development in areas that are currently wild and provide outstanding backcountry recreation. Additional roads are not needed when there are currently more than 380,000 miles of Forest System roads - nine times the size of the federal interstate system. IMBA has long supported Roadless Areas and asks mountain bikers to support their continued protection.

About The Outdoor Alliance

The mission of the Outdoor Alliance is "to ensure the conservation and stewardship of our nation's land and waters through the promotion of sustainable, human-powered recreation." Millions of people love to hike, paddle, climb, ski and mountain bike. We know our land and water first hand, and care deeply about passing our outdoor heritage to future generations. Outdoor Alliance gives these people a voice in Washington, D.C.

Member organizations of the Outdoor Alliance include Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Hiking Society, American Whitewater, International Mountain Bicycling Association and Winter Wildlands Alliance.