The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday that it will repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, a longstanding regulation that safeguards 58.5 million acres of national forestland from road construction and timber harvesting.
The USDA, which supervises the U.S. Forest Service, asserted that the rule is outdated and excessively restrictive for current forest management strategies.
In a statement, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the need for updated practices, describing the previous rule as a barrier to effective management of natural resources.
“Once again, President Trump is removing absurd obstacles to common-sense management of our natural resources by rescinding the overly restrictive ‘Roadless Rule,’” Rollins stated.
This decision is expected to impact about 30% of national forestland across the United States, with more than 40 states housing areas protected by the rule.
In California alone, approximately 4.4 million acres across 21 national forests, such as the Angeles, Tahoe, and Inyo, are covered under this regulation.
Prominent environmental organizations have swiftly criticized the USDA’s move, arguing that the rule is essential for protecting wildlife habitats and preserving the country’s drinking water sources.
Vera Smith, director of the national forests and public lands program at Defenders of Wildlife, stated that the rule is a vital safeguard against the adverse effects of road construction.
Josh Hicks, conservation campaigns director at the Wilderness Society, noted that the Roadless Rule has effectively shielded national forests from mining, logging, and roadbuilding for nearly 25 years.
Hicks declared, “Any attempt to revoke it is an attack on the air and water we breathe and drink, and on the recreational opportunities that millions of people enjoy each year.”
National forests play a crucial role in providing drinking water across the United States, and the roadless areas serve as protective buffers for numerous watersheds that are vital to millions of Americans.
In light of increased wildfires, Rollins argued that the repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule would enhance the federal government’s ability to mitigate fire risks and boost timber production.
She pointed out that of the 58.5 million acres affected, 28 million acres are situated in regions with a high or very high wildfire risk.
However, critics dispute the administration’s claims that lifting the rule will reduce fire hazards.
Rachael Hamby, policy director at the Center for Western Priorities, stated, “It’s ridiculous for Secretary Rollins to spin this as a move that will reduce wildfire risk or improve recreation.
Commercial logging exacerbates climate change, increasing the intensity of wildfires.”
Drew McConville, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, warned that this action appears to prioritize commercial interests over environmental protections.
“The administration seems determined to liquidate our public lands as quickly as possible,” McConville declared.
“Under the guise of wildfire prevention, this would shamelessly offer up some of our most treasured national forests for drilling, mining, and timber.”
The repeal of the Roadless Rule is part of a broader trend initiated by President Trump to expand development on public lands, reflecting recent executive orders aimed at increasing mining, logging, and drilling activities.
One proposal under consideration, the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” could lead to the sale of millions of acres of public land.
In addition, earlier this year, President Trump issued a directive to facilitate industrial logging on over 112.5 million acres of national forestland, impacting all 18 national forests in California.
President Trump has argued that such deregulation will eliminate costly barriers to American business and innovation, while simultaneously increasing timber supplies and strengthening energy independence.
The management of forests for wildfire risk has been a contentious political topic, particularly in California.
During his first term, President Trump infamously suggested that California should “rake its forest floors” to prevent more intense fires.
Experts have pointed out that suppression of wildfires over decades has led to vegetation buildup, contributing to larger and more frequent wildfires.
Nevertheless, many experts caution that simply clearing brush is not akin to large-scale logging or clear-cutting, which can eliminate essential fire-suppressing shade and moisture.
Chris Wood, a key figure in the development of the 2001 Roadless Rule and now chief executive of Trout Unlimited, described the rule as one of the most significant conservation successes in U.S. history.
He expressed hope that the administration will reconsider its position, quoting Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the Forest Service, who said, “Conservation is the application of common sense to common problems for the common good.”
As the debate continues over the management of these vital natural resources, the implications of the USDA’s decision may resonate for generations to come.
image source from：latimes
