Roadless Decision Examined
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals last week overturned a decision by Wyoming US District Judge Clarence Brimmer that would have called for a re-examination of the Interior Department’s Roadless Rule. Governor Matt Mead says he agrees with Brimmer that the rule creates de facto wilderness and only Congress has the authority to designate wilderness areas. Now, says Mead, he and the state’s Attorney General will have to determine what to do next. Mead points out that Wyoming has over 3 million acres of national forests, which would be subject to restrictions under the Roadless Rule. The ruling was made by 3-judge panel from the US 10th District Court, and Mead was seeking to have the matter decided by the entire 10-judge court. Wyoming still has the option of appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court, which rejects about 90 percent of such cases.
