The Dome Peak Roadless Area covers 12,000 acres that rise from forested valleys through sub-alpine meadows filled with lakes, wetlands, and beaver ponds to the summit of Dome Peak, the easternmost extension of the magnificent Flat Tops Plateau. The area is easily accessible from the Yampa Valley south of Steamboat Springs. Dome Peak's inspiring beauty, accessibility, and rich wildlife habitat, make it popular for hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching. Dome Peak also provides important habitat for sensitive species such as the northern goshawk and the clustered lady slipper, as well as the federally threatened Canada lynx. But timber companies have other plans for the Dome Peak Roadless Area.
"Dome Peak, one of the best-loved and most threatened roadless areas has the unique distinction of being recommended for Wilderness designation under the proposed forest plan revision while having a 3 million board foot timber sale pending under the current plan. This sale would require 1.5 miles of road construction across steep slopes and through a wetland. The Rule is holding this sale in abeyance-for the time being."
- Richard Compton, White River Conservation Project, Carbondale
"Roadless areas provide wildlife habitat that may be lost to unrestrained road development. They also offer experiences you can't get elsewhere-they provide places for seeking spirituality and for solitude. You can hike to Cathedral Lake near my home, but you can't really get away from the crowds. This situation will only get worse as Colorado becomes more crowded and development pressures intensify. It's imperative that we protect Dome Peak and other public wildlands before it's too late."
- Dorothea Farris, Pitkin County Commissioner, Carbondale
Roadless Rule Would Protect Dome Peak from Logging
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule would protect nearly 60 million acres of unspoiled National Forest land across the United States, including Dome Peak and a total of 4.4 million acres in Colorado, from road building and most logging. The Rule is under assault by the Bush administration, which appears intent on dismantling it as quickly as possible.
That would be bad news for Colorado and the more than 600,000 roadless acres on the White River National Forest. If the Rule is revoked, the Dome Peak Roadless Area and dozens of other equally beautiful roadless wildlands on the White River National forest could be logged or otherwise developed.
Other Roadless Areas on the White River National Forest
The Basalt Mountain, Red Table Mountain, and Gypsum Creek Roadless Areas encompass the largest unprotected wild area on the White River National Forest covering 78,500 acres. The area is widely known for its exceptional wildlife habitat, great hunting, hiking, and mountain biking. This area is vulnerable to logging. The Red Table area includes one of the only large, undeveloped mixed conifer stands left in Colorado.
The Big Ridge to South Fork Roadless Area, adjacent to Flat Tops Wilderness Area in northwestern Colorado, is popular with hunters, horse packers, and backpackers, and offers spectacular views of the Flat Tops and surrounding country.
Roadless Areas Sustain Colorado's High Quality of Life
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule makes good economic sense for Colorado. Our economy and quality of life are tied to Colorado's outstanding public wildlands. Millions of tourists and numerous new businesses and residents come to Colorado each year to enjoy these special places, not to see clearcuts and sediment-filled streams caused by logging and road building. Logging and wood products industries contribute less than one percent to the state's pool of jobs. The Rule would not limit public access to roadless lands for recreation nor would it close any existing roads.
Coloradans Support the Roadless Rule
The Forest Service issued the Rule after three years of research and analysis that included extensive public involvement. More than 600 public meetings were held nationwide, including 27 in Colorado. More than 1.6 million public comments were submitted, including more than 28,000 from Coloradans. The vast majority of comments nationwide and 92 percent of those from Colorado supported the Rule or urged stronger protection for roadless areas than the Rule would provide.
