Federal Officials Consider Bypassing Forest Roads Moratorium

By Traci Robinson, Web Coordinator,
(301) 897-8720, ext. 155; Fax: (301) 897-3690; e-mail: robinsot@safnet.org

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Intermountain Resources and Louisiana-Pacific Corp. have asked federal officials with the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests to approve the use of forwarders, which do not require the building of roads, to exact timber in logging operations. If approved, these timber companies would be able to log areas currently inaccessible due to the USDA Forest Service's 18-month ban on road construction, instituted in February 1999 (Greenwire, 8/11).

The forest roads moratorium does not specifically forbid the use of these huge balloon tire machines. According to Louisiana-Pacific resource manager, Tim Kyllo, the use of forwarders is a "'viable alternative' for accessing sales where roads are forbidden" (Greenwire, 8/11).

The USDA Forest Service instituted the roads moratorium to give the agency time to develop a long-term policy for the National Forest Transportation System. According to USDA Forest Service Chief Michael Dombeck, "it's fiscally and environmentally irresponsible to continue to build roads in unroaded areas with our current road system is such disrepair" (Environment News, 2/11).

While the use of forwarders may address the Forest Service's concerns regarding road building, it remains to be seen whether the Forest Service believes it will also help to reduce environmental impact.

Click here for a related story on the forest roads moratorium.