'Roadless Rule' Repeal Would Affect 2M Acres of Washington Forest Land
The proposal would open 59 million acres to logging and road building, while opponents warn it could raise wildfire risk and costs.
- On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture filed a proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, eliminating protections for 59 million acres of National Forest land and approximately 9 million acres in the Tongass National Forest.
- USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins argues the rollback removes barriers to wildfire risk reduction and restores authority to local forest managers. Environmental advocates remain skeptical of these justifications, citing an executive order last year calling for expanded timber production.
- Forest Service research mapped 26 years of fire ignitions along roughly 850 miles of roads in California national forests, revealing that nearly two-thirds of human-caused fires sparked along roadsides. Roadless areas also protect watersheds supplying drinking water to 47 million Americans.
- California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Rep. Jared Huffman criticized the decision, with Huffman vowing to fight it in Congress. The USDA is holding zero public hearings and allowing only 30 days for comment before the September 21 deadline.
- If finalized in 2026, the rollback threatens watersheds supplying water to 47 million Americans and risks fragmenting largely intact ecosystems that provide critical habitat for imperiled species and recreational opportunities for future generations.
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Let People Use America’s National Forests – The American Spectator | USA News and Politics
On August 18 the Trump administration shocked some ostensible environmentalists by announcing that it planned to open almost 45 million acres in the nation’s national forests to logging. The action would reverse a 25-year-old Clinton administration “roadless rule” that was aimed at preserving the “wild” nature of forest land. Having previously stripped such prohibitions from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, only to see the Biden administration …
Feds Moving at Full Throttle to Reverse Roadless Rule Protecting National Forests
A public comment period is now open on the proposed rule change that would allow logging and roadbuilding on National Forest land — including 635,000 acres of Los Padres National Forest. The post Feds Moving at Full Throttle to Reverse Roadless Rule Protecting National Forests appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
New Mexico wildlife experts share insight on 'Roadless Rule' being repealed
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – More areas in national forests could soon be opened up for road construction. This is because the Department of Agriculture is now moving forward to reverse the so-called “Roadless Rule.” The Trump administration is wanting to change the rule that has been in effect for 25 years. This means forests could [...]
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