Judge upholds Idaho Roadless Rule

State-specific rule largely opposed by conservation groups is upheld by federal judge.

A federal judge upheld the Idaho Roadless Rule against challenges it weakens logging restrictions that could harm endangered species on some of the state's 9 million acres of unroaded forests.

Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled against the Wilderness Society, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defence Council that sought to have the rule struck down and replaced by the 2001 national roadless rule.

Other environmental groups, including the Idaho Conservation League and Trout Unlimited, were on the other side of the suit and defended the rule written by Sen. Jim Risch while he served as governor.

In 2006, the U.S. Forest Service approved a roadless forest protection rule for Idaho. The rule gave many of the state's roadless areas greater protection than the 2001 roadless rule. But it also left some areas more vulnerable to logging and road building. Environmental groups were largely opposed to the rule while it was under development but Risch convinced many groups it offered greater protection from the national rule. Some groups, however, were not persuaded and sued.

Winmill ruled reviews by the Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ensure that important areas for species such as grizzly bear and woodland caribou would be protected under the Idaho rule.

Winmill's decision was issued Saturday.

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Click here to learn more about The Roadless Rule and Oregon's roadless areas