The Trump administration plans to remove longstanding protections on more than 44 million acres of national forest, opening the door to new roads, logging and development.
The Forest Service has proposed eliminating the 2001 “Roadless Rule,” which has limited road construction and logging in remote forest areas for 25 years.
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With roads blocked in these areas, the rule also inhibits activities such as mining and oil and gas drilling.
Most of the land — over 95% — is in ten western states, including Alaska, California, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Colorado and Idaho would not be affected because they have their own roadless regulations.
According to the administration, the rule protects 44-million of the National Forest System’s 193 million acres.
What the administration is saying
In a press release Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the rule has hindered efforts to clear overgrowth and manage fire hazards because forest managers cannot easily access some areas.
“For too long, outdated restrictions have kept tens of millions of forested acres off-limits to the very treatments that improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk to our communities.”
She said by removing the “Roadless Rule,” the administration would “restore authority to local forest managers who know the land best.”
“It’s time to turn the page on the failed roadless rule and return our forests to health and productivity,” Rollins said.
Ecologists and experts speak out
Some fire ecologists warn that expanding roads could increase fire risk by attracting more people to largely undisturbed areas. They also say it could harm the forests.
“The Forest Service’s misguided proposal will clear the way for reckless projects that can permanently scar these spectacular roadless landscapes and do long-lasting harm to countless communities that depend on our national forests for tourism, recreation, and clean drinking water,” wrote Kristin Gendzier, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, in a statement to The Hill.
This change wouldn’t automatically permit logging on all 44 million acres; local forest managers would make those decisions.
This is still a proposal, with the Forest Service accepting public comment through Sept. 21 at regulations.gov.
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