Guinn for, Reid against new roadless rule

RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn said the Bush administration's new rule on roadless areas is a victory for states' rights, while Democratic Sen. Harry Reid called it a significant rollback of environmental protection.

The Forest Service boss in Nevada said Thursday that it's too soon to tell what effect the rule will have on national forests in the state. About half of Nevada's nearly 6 million acres of national forests are roadless.

"At this point we really don't know what interests or proposals we'll see," said Bob Vaught, supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the largest U.S. forest outside Alaska.

"The first step is that governors will have 18 months to submit a petition" for opening up any existing roadless areas, Vaught said.

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