well, I have family (aunt) in Maine, and there is a similar debate raging there about their north woods.

Not knowing the area, it depends.

In maine, much of their north woods is owned by huge paper/lumber companies.  They allow free and open access to all of their land to anyone (paddlers, hikers, hunters, trappers, snowmobiliers...) as long as they are not destroying property, or cutting down live trees.

I don't know what public access on the Superior National Forest, but I would think that they should be able to cordon off some 'unique' 'wilderness' areas that would be forbidden for future lumbering.  Preserving some old (or older) growth trees.