In this episode, I interview Gary Macfarlane and Katie Bilodeau about the threats posed to roadless areas on Forest Service lands. We delve into the history and current challenges faced in conserving these invaluable wildlands.

We discuss loopholes in the state-specific roadless rules and their impacts on public lands. Emphasizing the urgency to protect roadless lands as future wilderness areas, Gary and Katie call for more concrete protections.

https://www.friendsoftheclearwater.org/2024/09/25/roadless-report/

https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/17/americas-roadless-rules-are-not-protecting-public-wildlands-from-development/

01:01 Support and Accessibility of the Podcast

01:47 Current Events: Roadless Rule Rollback

03:20 Interview Introduction: Katie Bilodeau and Gary McFarlane

05:46 The History and Importance of Roadless Areas

11:05 Rare One and Rare Two: Roadless Area Evaluations

16:37 Challenges and Legal Battles Over Roadless Areas

30:29 Exceptions and Loopholes in the Roadless Rule

34:32 State-Specific Roadless Rules and Their Impact

37:00 Redefining Protection: The Roadless Rule Loopholes

37:47 Forest Service's Logging Justifications

38:35 Impact on Roadless Areas and Wilderness

39:54 The Idaho Roadless Rule and Its Implications

43:13 The Roadless Report: Findings and Analysis

47:01 The Future of Roadless Areas and Wilderness

52:59 Call to Action

01:11:38 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks