Trump moves to end protections for 44 million acres of U.S. forests

The Trump administration proposed a rule change on Tuesday that would end protections for over 44 million acres of forest land in the United States. Currently, the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule safeguards certain national forests from logging, road building, and other development activities. If the proposed rule becomes final, it would revoke this 25-year-old policy, which has been widely criticized by environmental groups for potentially compromising crucial natural habitats.

The USDA argued that the current regulation is a "one-size-fits-all restriction" that has hindered wildfire risk reduction efforts in national forests. Should the rule be repealed, it would permit management practices like forest thinning to prevent wildfires and control insects. It would also grant more authority to local forest managers regarding the utilization of roadless land, particularly in the western U.S. The Roadless Area Conservation Rule was initiated during President Bill Clinton's administration to shield tens of millions of acres of national forestland from further development.

Environmental organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Biological Diversity, have expressed strong opposition to the proposed rule, emphasizing its potential impact on imperiled species and the importance of preserving these areas as connected habitats. The proposed rule is currently subject to a 30-day public comment period before it can be finalized.