Overview

• USDA published a Federal Register notice on August 29 initiating an environmental impact statement and rulemaking, with public comments due September 19, 2025.
• The Forest Service outlined an accelerated schedule targeting a draft EIS by March 2026 and a final rule and record of decision by late 2026.
• Agency officials say the 21-day scoping period is sufficient for notification and that comment windows for the draft EIS and proposed rule will be longer.
• The 2001 Roadless Rule restricts new road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting across roughly 58.5 million acres of national forest roadless areas.
• Conservation groups and commentators warn that repeal could open large areas to new roads, logging, and mining, and they signal likely legal challenges to the process.