Wyoming to petition US Supreme Court on roadless
Feb 24, 2012, 9:52 PM
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – The state of Wyoming will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review its challenge to a 2001 federal rule barring development on nearly 50 million acres roadless areas in national forests.
Gov. Matt Mead announced the decision Friday, saying the rule enacted under former President Bill Clinton has had serious consequences for the state’s residents and industries, and the health of its forests.
The rule has been upheld by both the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit.
Wyoming had argued that the definition of roadless lands is synonymous with wilderness lands, and that the 1964 Wilderness Act states that only Congress can designate wilderness lands.
Supporters of the rule say the nation’s forests need protection from development.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
