That only holds up as a good argument for discarding federal protections if governors do, in fact, get busy and study the roadless areas in their states, then petition the federal government to protect forests that should not be turned over to developers for oil and gas drilling, mining, timber operations, ranching and potentially damaging forms of recreation.

So far, we don't see much of that happening in Utah.

If Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. fails to act by next November, the 4 million acres of Utah's national forest land, now off-limits to development, could be opened up for just such activities. That would be an irreparable mistake.

Huntsman has merely asked for recommendations from county officials but has taken no further steps we are aware of toward a meaningful study of Utah's roadless forests. We hope his strategy is not to leave this important land-use decision up to those who run county governments. That would put the future of Utah's forest lands into the hands of only a few people - some of whom favor damaging forms of development and recreation.

County and state officials are under great pressure from energy developers and the Bush administration to open up even the most fragile lands to drilling for gas and oil. With the repeal of the Roadless Rule, only Huntsman can halt this potentially dangerous land grab.

The governor should take a public lead on this vital issue, listening to a healthy cross-section of Utahns and to the many competing interests with ideas of how best to use, preserve and protect the national forests within Utah's borders.

But giving the public its rightful say takes time, and time is running out.

We do not agree with the Bush administration's abdication of federal responsibility for preserving the nation's forests. Nevertheless, as Utah's governor has been handed that responsibility, we urge him to take the time necessary to ensure that the forests will be protected and that the state will be a wise and prudent landlord.