Missoula, Mont. (AP) Congress is considering a new program to decommission roads the U-S Forest Service either doesn't want or didn't authorize.

The agency currently faces a ten (b) billion-dollar backlog in road maintenance, and has struggled for years to find the money to keep up the 400-thousand miles of road that run through its national forests.

The 65 (m) million-dollar program being considered by the U-S House would set aside money to decommission roads, repair and maintain roads and trails and remove fish barriers.

It's part of a bill funding the Interior Department and Forest Service.

The Forest Service has an estimated 25-thousand miles of poor or unauthorized roads in the 13 national forests in its Northern Region which includes Montana.

Environmentalists say the roads can harm fish habitat and water quality by eroding into forest creeks and streams.

Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-24-07 1049CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list