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Conservation science and forest service policy for roadless areas
1Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy Program, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. jmt64@cornell.edu
Summary
Conservation biology has successfully influenced U.S. Forest Service roadless area policies, shifting goals toward protecting all remaining roadless national forest areas. However, large-scale conservation approaches face political challenges.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Policy
- Public Lands Management
Background:
- Debates on conservation biology's impact on environmental decision-making persist.
- Public lands and roadless area policies represent a key intersection of conservation science and environmental policy in the U.S.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role and influence of conservation science on U.S. Forest Service roadless area policies.
- To examine the evolution of roadless area advocacy and policy goals, methodology, and outcomes since the 1970s.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of U.S. Forest Service environmental impact statements and supporting documents.
- Review of internal records from conservation organizations involved in roadless area advocacy.
Main Results:
- Conservation science has demonstrably informed and increased public and administrative support for roadless area protection.
- Conservation organizations' goals evolved from protecting some roadless areas to advocating for the protection of all remaining areas.
- The U.S. Forest Service increasingly incorporates conservation biology principles into its methodology and recommendations for roadless area protection.
- The 2000 Roadless Area Conservation Review recommended protecting all remaining national forest roadless areas, a significant increase from earlier reviews.
Conclusions:
- Conservation science has successfully shaped national conservation goals and Forest Service policy regarding roadless areas.
- Despite scientific backing, large-scale, national conservation policies face significant political hurdles and difficulties.
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