The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), led by Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, announced today the rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule during a meeting of the Western Governors’ Association in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This new decision marks a significant shift in forest management policy, aiming to enhance the health and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands by allowing road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvesting on approximately 59 million acres within the National Forest System.
The 2001 Roadless Rule has long been criticized for imposing stringent restrictions that hinder effective management of national forests, including essential fire prevention measures. For instance, states like Utah and Montana are particularly affected; nearly 60% and 58% of their forest service land is restricted, complicating efforts to manage fire risks. In Alaska, a staggering 92% of the Tongass National Forest is impacted, which has resulted in a notable decline in job opportunities and economic growth in these regions. A report indicates that Utah alone has experienced a 25% decrease in economic development in the forestry sector due to these restrictions.
Secretary Rollins emphasized that the rescission aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14192, aimed at removing unnecessary regulatory barriers to boost American innovation and business development. This policy change is expected to empower local land managers to make decisions that are better suited to their specific environmental conditions, enhancing forest resilience against wildfires and benefiting local communities.
Of the 58.5 million acres previously classified as roadless areas, nearly 28 million are in zones identified as high or very high risk for wildfires. By lifting these restrictions, the federal government hopes to provide more flexibility for local management, enabling proactive responses to wildfire threats and safeguarding infrastructure and communities. This action is heralded as a new era of sustainable forest management, thereby ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from America’s vast natural resources.