Wilderness areas are managed to ensure maximum flexibility of land management to provide for human safety and enjoyment of the land while meeting the intent of the Wilderness Act -- protecting the land in its natural state for future generations to experience and enjoy.

Lands designated Wilderness by Congress are managed to protect the wilderness character of the land. To keep Wilderness areas roadless, natural, and providing outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation and solitude, the Wilderness Act places certain restriction on how the land is to be managed. Mining, commercial logging, roadbuilding, and use of motorized or mechanized vehicles are prohibited.

To insure public safety and protect the wilderness character of the land certain exemptions to the above prohibitions are allowed in Wilderness. For example, use of motorized and mechanized vehicles are allowed for search and rescue, fire prevention and fire fighting and protection, and maintenance of vegetation, and in the case of wheelchair travel.

Wilderness Areas are managed by the agency that has jurisdiction over the designated lands. For example if the Red Table Mountain Roadless Area on the White River National Forest is designated Wilderness by Congress, then the Forest Service is entrusted with the area's ongoing management.

For more details, see the Issues and Answers page.