The Forest Service is proposing new regulations to protect inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System. This final environmental impact statement (FEIS) responds to strong public sentiment for protecting roadless areas and the clean water, biological diversity, dispersed recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, forest health, and other public benefits provided by these areas. This action also responds to budgetary concerns and the need to balance management objectives with funding priorities.

This describes a strategy for conserving National Forest System inventoried roadless areas and their important values. It has an analysis of management options and the Forest Service's preferred alternative.