ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) β The Trump administration announced Tuesday it is moving ahead with plans to rescind the Roadless Rule, a 2001 regulation that barred logging, road building, and other development on 58.5 million acres of national forest land. The announcement, made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, would replace the rule with a state-by-state petition process, allowing governors to request exemptions for road construction and timber harvesting.
The Roadless Rule, adopted under President Bill Clinton, has been a cornerstone of forest protection, safeguarding pristine areas in 39 states and Puerto Rico. Environmental groups have vowed to challenge the repeal in court, arguing it would open fragile ecosystems to industrial activity and harm wildlife habitats. Industry advocates, however, say the rule has hindered forest management and increased wildfire risks by preventing thinning and logging.
The proposal is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to boost domestic timber production and reduce regulatory burdens. A 60-day public comment period will follow its publication in the Federal Register, after which the rule could be finalized. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and conservationists, who see it as a giveaway to logging interests.
This is not the first attempt to overturn the rule; a 2018 effort was blocked by a federal court in Idaho. The new proposal aims to address legal concerns by emphasizing state input, but legal experts say it may still face hurdles. The administration argues that local control will lead to better forest management, while opponents counter that it undermines national environmental protections.
