When President Bush repealed federal safeguards for 59 million roadless acres of national forests, including 4 million acres in Utah, protection of those fragile areas was irresponsibly left up to the states.
   The 2005 Bush repeal of the "roadless rule" turned over to local Forest Service agencies all decisions about forest use unless a state petitions the U.S. Department of Agriculture by November of this year to continue protection of roadless areas that provide vital wildlife habitat and watershed protection, as well as peace and solitude.
   Unfortunately, in single-mindedly pursuing a policy favoring "multiple use" and expansion of local access, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has not adequately involved the public, including conservation groups, in an open and transparent petition process. Instead, the governor shut the door on the discussion after inviting in county officials who have historically favored industry and off-road vehicle use over conservation, and who are often militant about maintaining rights of way on public land.
   Huntsman's coordinator of public lands policy, Lynn Stevens, a former San Juan County commissioner, says talks with elected officials in counties bordering Utah's six national forests began in June 2005. County and Forest Service planners have until the end of June this year to make a recommendation to the governor.
   The only chance for the public - the people who own and use the national forests - to participate in shaping this policy will be during a public-comment period in August and September. Incredibly, there will be no public hearings, proof that points of view that do not fit with the Huntsman administration's "multiple use" and locals-first philosophy are being discounted.
   Presuming that a handful of county officials can fairly represent the broad spectrum of Utahns and visitors who have a stake in national forests is ludicrous. Stevens says there simply wasn't enough time to form a task force representing many competing interests. That seems disingenuous, since county officials have a year to advance their arguments.
   We believe the governor should have allowed all stakeholders, not just those elected to county office, to be equally represented - and heard - from the beginning of this discussion.