Trump Administration Moves to End National Forest Roadless Rule

The Trump administration announced Tuesday it is moving forward with plans to rescind a quarter-century-old rule that has blocked logging, road building and other development on national forest lands, drawing sharp criticism from environmental groups nationwide.

The U.S. Forest Service filed a proposal to scrap the so-called roadless rule, adopted in the final days of Bill Clinton's presidency in 2001. The agency described the rule as a one-size-fits-all restriction that has frustrated land managers and served as a barrier to reducing wildfire risks.

"Our forests can't afford another decade of inaction. Across the country, we've watched preventable conditions — overgrown stands, insect outbreaks and disease — turn healthy landscapes into tinderboxes," Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement.

Clinton signed the rule to protect undeveloped national forest land from commercial logging and mineral leasing, aiming to preserve ecosystems and protect water supplies. Rollins called the rule a failure, saying the new proposal would restore authority to local forest managers.

The roadless rule affects about 30% of national forest lands nationwide, or roughly 59 million acres, according to the Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service will now gather public comment on the proposal and a draft environmental impact statement filed Tuesday in the Federal Register. Officials say the rescission removes the national designation of roadless areas but does not itself mandate logging or road construction.

The move follows an announcement last summer at a meeting of Western governors in New Mexico, where the administration first signaled its intent to eliminate the rule.

Environmental groups said lifting the protections would harm old-growth forests, wildlife and water supplies. "Americans across the political spectrum have made it crystal clear that they don't want political appointees removing protections from public lands," said Chris Krupp, an attorney with WildEarth Guardians.

The Alaska Wilderness League raised particular concern about the Tongass National Forest, the nation's largest, which was previously opened to logging during Trump's first term before the Biden administration reversed that decision. Emma Powell of the group called the Tongass a "global treasure" supporting salmon runs, wildlife and thousands of jobs.

Alex Craven of the Sierra Club disputed claims that removing the rule would reduce wildfire risk, arguing more roads could increase fire danger. He said the Sierra Club would fight the proposal "at each step."

The public comment period closes September 21.