06/24/05 Governor wants public input on roadless

Governor Dirk Kempthorne is looking for public input to develop recommendations that will deal with more than nine million acres of roadless areas. The governor said the starting point for the discussions will be the current management plans in Idaho's ten existing national forests. KEMPTHORNE "At the end of the year, if in fact hypothetically, no one comes forward with any suggestions or modifications or improvements to the existing forest plans that is what I will submit." Kempthorne has named his Administrator of the Office of Species Conservation Jim Caswell to assist local officials. KEMPTHORNE "I'm going to ask Jim Caswell at the end of the process if there are there any changes. If there are what are they and why are they being recommended. How broadly are they supported?" The current forest plans would allow for 5.6 million acres of potential development but Kempthorne says that may not be what is finally submitted to the federal government. KEMPTHORNE "But if you find that there is discussions, there's something that would suggest that some of that 5.6 should not be in there and instead would remain roadless I will definitely entertain that as well." Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott