Break Out the Compass
By Sarah Hamilton, 10.06.06

A long walk through a jungle without paths to follow will result in getting lost. While absolute preservation of nature in national parks may keep America beautiful, it is also inhibiting the public from actually experiencing nature’s beauty.

A current public policy debate over the Roadless Rule, a law that aims to get rid of construction development in national parks, is causing those who wish to travel through national parks to literally rough it.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Laporte resurrected the 2001 Roadless Rule, which bans construction in national forests. Her decision has sparked a debate over whether there should be a national law that forces states to stop development construction in their parks. Those who are against the Roadless Rule want each state to create its own development plans. The plans can then be approved by the USDA Forest Service Agency.

Laporte charges the Forest Service Agency, who has governed development in national parks since 2005, with violating the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act. She claims they are not considering environmental consequences of allowing states to govern development in parks. Though reasonable, her statement does not consider that states must always adhere to environmental rules and regulations when making development decisions.

Without road development in state parks, there will be very few, if any, happy campers. People traditionally equate development with a sense of safety and security. They often try to create a safe atmosphere when camping in the jungle.

Take away the roads, and that sense of safety and security is gone. In the place of roads is a sense of uncertainty. Without any development, the idea of facing an untamed wilderness is haunting.

On a more practical level, roads help guide travelers through the rough terrain of the wilderness. In fact, travelers can cover only a limited distance on foot. W hen there is a lot to see in a limited time, a single road is the way to go.

On a recent camping trip to the mountains of the Shennodoah Valley this past summer, I experienced the beauty of the valley by traveling down a single road called Skyline Drive. The road, paved before the inception of the Roadeless Rule, runs over 20 miles and provides a way where travelers can safely navigate through the mountains. Without this road, it is doubtful that many people would be able to fully experience the breathtaking beauty of the mountains.

It is true that laws protect nature and too much development can be just as hazardous as abolishing all development in nation parks. But a happy medium would allow visitors to enjoy taking a walk through the park. States need to strictly follow regulations that protect and preserve nature’s beauty. However, a paved road along the way will help many navigate through that beauty.