Trump administration moves ahead to end roadless rule on national forests

The U.S. Forest Service has filed a proposal to revoke a 25-year-old rule that limited logging, road building and other development on national forest lands. The move, announced by the Trump administration on Tuesday, has sparked criticism from environmentalists across the country. The so-called roadless rule, implemented during Bill Clinton's final days in office in 2001, was seen as a barrier to reducing wildfire risks in forests.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the agency's proposal aims to restore authority to local forest managers and remove obstacles hindering forest health improvements across millions of acres. The roadless rule impacted 30% of national forest lands, totaling approximately 59 million acres. The Forest Service will now seek public comments on the proposal and a draft environmental impact statement in the Federal Register.

Environmental groups argue that lifting the protections would have detrimental effects on old growth forests, wildlife, and water supplies.