TRCP promotes economic value of responsibly managed roadless areas

Channeling the legacy of Teddy Roosevelt, group encourages protection of roadless to promote outdoor based business.

Using the anniversary of the 2001 federal roadless rule to mark the occasion, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership launched "Banking on the Backcountry" Monday. 

The campaign unites hunting and angling groups and businesses in support of backcountry conservation and highlights the economic boost provided by roadless areas. The sportsmen's group maintains that the new administration should retain the maximum acreages of national forest roadless areas to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and uphold America's backcountry-reliant economy. 

"Fishing and hunting annually contribute more than $190 billion to our nation's economic system," said TRCP Roadless Initiative Manager Joel Webster. "Conscientious management of roadless areas can support strong economies in rural communities and stable jobs associated with hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. 

"During today's tough economic times, Americans need these jobs more than ever. Roadless areas can help safeguard both the future of our sporting traditions and the viability of thousands of businesses." 

Webster said Banking on the Backcountry gives sporting-related businesses and groups a means to offer a unified message to the new administration. 

A series of conflicting court decisions regarding the 2001 roadless rule have left management of these areas unsettled for years. 

The TRCP believes that the 2001 rule — which limits most new road building in the backcountry — is currently the best management tool available to conserve inventoried roadless lands and sustain healthy game populations and public-lands sporting opportunities.

By upholding and defending the 2001 rule, the new administration, under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, can assure that the public will continue to enjoy the backcountry characteristics of roadless areas until a legislative solution can be implemented. 

"Backcountry lands provide clean water to some of Wyoming's finest trout rivers, such as the Green and North Platte," said Dwayne Meadows, a TRCP field representative and fly-fishing guide who lives in Laramie, "and we can't afford to lose this important resource. Conserving roadless areas is critical to the continued success of trout fishing in the West. 

"Sportsmen are uniquely positioned to appreciate the value and benefit of our backcountry."