[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22727]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   A PLAN FOR IDAHO'S ROADLESS AREAS

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, on November 29, 2006, Idaho Governor James 
Risch presented Idaho's petition for our Roadless Areas to the Roadless 
Area National Advisory Committee here in Washington, DC. I strongly 
support this collaborative and comprehensive petition.
  The Idaho Roadless process was of a thorough and collaborative 
nature. Every effort was made to involve county commissioners, members 
of the public, and a diverse array of participants. Idaho leaders and 
agency representatives have done an excellent job of including everyone 
who wished to provide input.
  In this case, we have had decades of uncertainty. This petition, as 
set forth by Governor Risch, has potential to resolve these disputed 
and difficult issues in a collaborative manner.
  The petition is the result of thoughtful hard work intended to reach 
consensus on a very tough issue. Such decisions seldom provide any one 
group or individual with everything they had hoped or negotiated to 
achieve. In this case, it appears to be a fair petition and sets a path 
forward that will encourage all parties, including those who are in 
support and in opposition, to resolve their differences and establish 
Idaho's future road management policy. This is a beginning, not an end.
  I commend Governor Risch and his team for their efforts and render my 
support in behalf of their earnest and diligent effort.

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