Trump administration moves ahead to end roadless rule on national forests

The Trump administration announced on Tuesday plans to rescind a 25-year-old rule that restricted logging, road building and other development on national forests. Environmentalists expressed strong opposition to the move, which they say could have devastating consequences for old growth forests, wildlife and water supplies. The U.S. Forest Service is set to file a proposal that would scrap the "roadless rule," adopted by President Bill Clinton in 2001.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins described the rule as outdated and a barrier to reducing wildfire risks, stating that healthy forests are essential to combatting the increasing frequency of severe wildfires. Rollins called for restoring authority to local forest managers and removing barriers that have hindered forest health improvements across millions of acres.

The roadless rule covers 30% of national forest lands, or approximately 59 million acres, in the United States. Public comment on the proposal and an environmental impact statement will be accepted before the rescission takes effect. Environmental groups, including WildEarth Guardians and the Sierra Club, argue that lifting protections would harm the environment and local economies, while supporters of the proposal say it would allow for more effective wildfire prevention and forest management.