This part of the planning process consists of three major steps which are 1) inventory, 2) evaluation and 3) recommendation. In general terms, the inventory is based on a minimum size of 5,000 acres (or smaller if contiguous to an existing wilderness) and a limited level of development. It should be noted that within the roadless inventory some types of roads and minor developments can be included. After the inventory update is complete, roadless areas are evaluated for potential recommendations for wilderness designation. Roadless areas are evaluated on tests of capability (does the area possess wilderness characteristics), availability (what are other existing or potential uses of the area) and need (is wilderness designation needed to protect certain values or provide unique opportunities). The third step is recommendation. It is during this step that forest managers identify those roadless areas thought to be appropriate for wilderness designation within the context of all forest management. These areas are recommended to Congress who has the sole authority for formal designation. Initial recommendations for areas thought to be appropriate for wilderness designation will be included in the proposed action as part of our Notice of Intent for the Plan revision EIS. This is scheduled for late August to early September. Final recommendations will not be made until a decision is signed in december of 2000.
The Wasatch-Cache National Forest has most
recently identified 577,914 acres in roadless areas. Some of you may have
participated in roadless inventory meetings held in the fall of 1998.