Priceless gifts

The roadless forests are impossible to replace: clean water and air, thriving wildlife and unconfined areas for recreation, hunting, fishing and solace-seeking. Some 1.2 million Americans commented on the Roadless Area Conservation Rule before it was formalized in the late 1990s; 96 percent of the people supported a ban on new road building in our largest tracts of undeveloped forest.

Needless to say, roadless forests are very popular with the American people.

Washington's pristine roadless areas are located throughout the state in the Olympic, Mount-Baker Snoqualmie, Gifford Pinchot, Wenatchee, Okanogan, Colville, and Umatilla National Forests. Some of Washington's natural treasures are found in these wild areas–the Dark Divide in the shadow of Mt. Adams in southwest Washington; the Kettle Range in the northeast corner of the state; and the South Quinault Ridge on the Olympic Peninsula. These areas are also home to some of the state's rare and endangered species–the northern spotted owl, the Snake River sockeye salmon, the mountain caribou, and many other plant, animal, and fish species.

For background on the roadless rule

For recent progress on protecting roadless areas