As I watched the Gov. Gary Herbert unveil his petition for a Utah-specific Roadless Rule earlier this year, it became obvious that not only does the state’s proposal fail to consider the effects on wildlife, watersheds and recreational opportunities, but fails to address the cost as well.
For 30 years, I worked as a U.S. Forest Service economist in the Intermountain Region, developing management plans for 16 national forests, as well as helping the Washington. D.C.. office develop better policy and practices pertaining to economics and social science.
Herbert’s proposal emphasizes healthy forests and management practices aimed at reducing wildfire risks through actions such as forest thinning and timber harvest.