KTVB

Governor Jim Risch outlined his plan to protect 9.3 million acres of roadless lands in the state.

Idaho’s governor was in the nation's capital today to present his roadless plan.

It’s a plan that would protect almost ten million acres of Idaho wilderness.

Environmentalists originally did not support the governor's plan because it looked like it would open to much land up to development.

They now say this is a different version that protects more than they thought. 

The debate over how to manage America’s roadless lands has been raging for more than 40 years.

Former President Bill Clinton’s roadless plan drastically reduced logging in Idaho.

But last year President Bush replaced that plan with a process that allows governors to petition the government to protect forests in their states.

Governor Jim Risch was on Capitol Hill today to do just that.

“I don't think the people; well 40 years ago I know people didn't contemplate that we'd be here today still arguing over those particular areas. I can't believe that they contemplated that each of these would be contained in one blob that were all managed the same. I mean that, doesn't make sense,” said Risch.

The plan protects millions of Idaho wildlands.

It breaks down roadless areas into three main types - 1.4 million Forest Service acres would become "wildland” where road building is forbidden. That includes land slated to become wilderness in Idaho’s Boulder and White Cloud Mountains.

Another 1.7 million acres would be dubbed "primitive," and would get similar protections.

Meanwhile, in the petition's most disputed segment, 5.5 million acres would become so-called backcountry - roads could only be built, logging would be done for forest health.

Environmentalists say the plan includes much more  protection than previously thought.

“Roadless areas are the main source for clean water, wildlife habitat for fish and wildlife, and they need to be protected intact, and this new proposal would protect many more acres for hunting and fishing and for Idahoans, so we think it's a much improved proposal,” said John Robison, Idaho Conservation League.

The other part of the plan they like is it opens up logging to only 500,000 acres.

A proposal they say for now, they can potentially support.

This petition will still require approval from the Secretary of Agriculture.

And it will undergo a public testimony phase, all of which could take a couple of years.