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Trump Administration to Rescind Rule Protecting 59 Million Acres of National Forest Lands

The administration argues the change will enhance local wildfire management under its deregulation agenda

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FILE - Wrangler Doug Washburn, of Crested Butte, Colo. overlooks aspen trees with their autumn colors, near Jacks Cabin in the Slate River Valley near Crested Butte, Colo. while gathering the Spann cattle from the U.S. National Forest lands, Oct. 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Nathan Bilow, File)
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Overview

  • Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on June 23 that the USDA plans to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which has barred road construction and timber harvesting on nearly 59 million acres of national forest lands
  • Rollins said ending the rule will allow local forest managers to build roads for wildfire prevention and expand timber production in line with President Trump’s deregulation agenda
  • A formal notice rescinding the rule is expected in the coming weeks, although state-level roadless protections in Idaho and Colorado could limit its reach
  • Alaska’s Tongass National Forest stands to see the biggest impact, with approximately 92 percent of its lands currently designated as roadless under the rule
  • Environmental groups including The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club and Earthjustice have vowed to challenge the decision in court, warning of harm to wildlife habitats, water quality and potential increases in wildfire risk