ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Trump administration plans to repeal a longstanding rule that restricted logging and development on national forest lands. This move has sparked opposition from environmental groups across the country. On Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service proposed revoking the roadless rule, which was introduced in the final days of Bill Clinton’s presidency in 2001. This rule was initially intended to prevent logging, road building, and other development to protect forest ecosystems and water supplies.
The Forest Service described the roadless rule as an inflexible regulation that complicated forest management efforts. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the need for proactive measures, addressing overgrown tree stands, insect infestation, and disease, which contribute to severe wildfire conditions. Rollins stated, “Our forests can’t afford another decade of inaction.” Experts attribute worsening wildfires to climate change, insufficient logging, and fire suppression policies that led to fuel buildup.
Rollins criticized the roadless rule and advocated for empowering local forest managers to enhance forest health on a large scale. Approximately 30% of national forest lands, or 59 million acres, are impacted by the rule, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While the proposal allows for public comment and review, it does not require logging or road construction.
The Trump administration’s intentions to repeal the rule were first declared during a meeting of Western governors in New Mexico last year. Environmentalists have continually warned about the potential negative effects on old-growth forests, wildlife, and water supplies. Chris Krupp, an attorney with WildEarth Guardians, stressed that the public does not support removal of these protections, stating, “It would be a gross misreading of public sentiment.”
The rescission could affect areas like Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the country’s largest, where state leaders have advocated for exemptions to enable economic activities. Restrictions on logging and road-building in the Tongass were lifted during the latter part of Trump’s first term but later reinstated by the Biden administration. Emma Powell from the Alaska Wilderness League highlighted the Tongass as a critical habitat for wildlife and an economic driver for industries such as fisheries, tourism, and outdoor recreation.
Alex Craven of the Sierra Club challenged claims that revoking the rule would enhance wildfire management. He argued that more roads could lead to more fires and that the rule hadn’t prevented necessary wildfire mitigation work. The Sierra Club and other environmental groups plan to oppose the proposal actively. The public comment period ends on September 21.
Leave a Reply