WHEREAS, Idaho’s 275 inventoried roadless areas comprise approximately 9.3 million acres in 12 national forests across Idaho; and

WHEREAS, Idaho has more inventoried roadless acres than any other state in the coterminous forty-eight; and

WHEREAS, Idaho’s inventoried roadless areas not only represent pristine habitat for protected species such as gray wolves and several species of anadromous fish; but also comprise a significant boon to Idaho’s economy; and

WHEREAS, roadless areas in Idaho provide excellent recreational opportunities for hunters, fishermen and outdoors enthusiasts, as well as a significant source for drinking and irrigation water throughout the Northwest; and

WHEREAS, Idaho counties, communities, and interested parties were invited to participate, in a process outlined by the Governor, by providing input during the drafting of management recommendations for inventoried roadless areas; and

WHEREAS, county commissioners led the effort to gather public input and present recommendations from local communities and interested parties to the Governor;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, by the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho do hereby order the following:

1)      The creation of the Governor’s Roadless Rule Advisory Commission (Commission).

A.         The members of the Commission shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor through calendar year 2010. At which time the Commission may be reestablished for another term as the Governor deems necessary.

                                                                          i.      The Commission shall be composed 15 members. The Office of the Governor will staff this entity.

                                                                        ii.      Commission members shall be representative of the interests of the following three categories:

1.      Five persons who:

a.      Represent organized labor; or

b.      Represent developed outdoor recreation, off highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities; or

c.       Represent energy and mineral development interests; or

d.      Represent the commercial timber industry; or

e.       Hold Federal grazing permits, or other land use permits within the area for which the Commission is organized.

2.      Five persons representing:

a.      Nationally recognized environmental organizations; or

b.      Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations; or

c.       Dispersed recreational activities; or

d.      Archaeological and historical interests; or

e.       Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups.

3.      Five persons who:

a.      Hold State elected office or their designee; or

b.      Hold county or local elected office; or

c.       Represent American Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the Commission is organized; or

d.      Are school officials or teachers; or

e.       Represent the affected public at large.

                                                                      iii.      The Chair of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor from Governor’s Office staff or the membership of the Commission.

2)   The Commission shall:

A.         In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture and the Tribes of Idaho ensure the implementation of the Inventoried Roadless Area Management Rule for Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 21st day of December in the year of our Lord two thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE