Fighting for the Roadless Rule in the Methow Valley
On April 29, Washington Wild, the Methow Valley Citizens Council (MVCC), The Wilderness Society, and the National Parks Conservation Association, hosted an event in Twisp, WA in the Methow Valley to highlight the importance of protecting the Roadless Rule. Hosted in Old Schoolhouse Brewing’s Twisp taproom, over 70 community members attended to learn about how the Roadless Rule protects where they live and how they can help fight back against efforts to rescind it.
Speakers included:
- Madelyn Hamilton, Public Lands & Wildlife Program Manager at MVCC
- Rebekah Phillips, Executive Director of MVCC
- Allen Jirsik, Director of Methow Trails Collaborative
- John Rohrer, former career Forest Service Wildlife Biologist
- Susan Pritchard, Fire Ecologist at the University of Washington
- Mark Miller, Colville Tribal member & Methow Elder
The Methow Valley is a hidden gem of Washington State, with its pristine rivers and majestic forests, this outdoor recreation hub charms everyone who visits. The joke among residents is that when you visit, you won’t want to leave and for many nature lovers, they simply don’t.
This special place is under threat by the upcoming attempt to rescind the Roadless Rule. Much of the National Forest lands in the valley are protected by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Old Schoolhouse Brewing created a beer in support of the Roadless Rule: the Roadless Warrior IPA. The design highlights the values of roadless area—clean rivers, forests, and intact ecosystems for wildlife. Each can includes a QR code for individuals to scan and sign a petition to be submitted during the formal comment period process.
All photos provided by Chris Chappell for Washington Wild.
