The Trump administration has proposed rolling back the 2001 Roadless Rule, which would lift prohibitions on road construction and logging across nearly 59 million acres of US national forest. Congressional efforts are also underway to permanently remove the rule despite strong public support. Experts warn the change threatens wildlife habitats, water quality, and ecological health in sensitive roadless areas like Alaska's Tongass National Forest.
Background
The Roadless Rule (2001) protects approximately 58.5 million acres of National Forest System land from road construction and timber harvesting. The current proposal represents a major federal policy shift that could significantly alter land management across the US.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Aug 22, 2026 at 07:08 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10