The Trump administration is considering rescinding a crucial environmental safeguard, the Roadless Rule, which has played an essential role in protecting over 58 million acres of national forest for more than two decades. This potential reversal has sparked major concerns among conservationists and wildlife advocates, who recognize the rule as a cornerstone of America’s conservation efforts.
The time to protect America’s most important heritage, our national parks, is now. We must urge President Trump to reconsider this decision and uphold the Roadless Rule. Maintaining this policy not only honors the legacy of our national parks but also ensures the continued protection of wildlife and critical habitats for future generations. By preserving this essential rule, the Trump Administration can demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding our natural resources and the diverse ecosystems that depend on them.
If the Roadless Rule is rescinded, nearly 45 million acres of pristine, unfragmented forests across 36 states and Puerto Rico would be opened to road construction, logging, and industrial development. These lands represent some of the last untouched, intact ecosystems in our country, vital not only for biodiversity but also for the health and well-being of our planet.
The Roadless Rule has long served as a shield against habitat destruction, helping to preserve clean drinking water, protect endangered species, and prevent fragmentation of key wildlife corridors. It has also helped to limit the spread of human-caused wildfires, which studies show are far more common in areas where there are roads rather than in untouched forests.
National forests are critical to America’s water system, acting as the headwaters of major rivers and providing clean drinking water to more than 60 million people in 33 states. Building roads in these areas would significantly increase the risk of water pollution, threatening communities and ecosystems alike.
“Our analysis shows that nearly one-third of the forests that this administration is targeting for logging are listed by the Forest Service’s own report as highly important for drinking water,” said Dr. Dawn Woodard, staff scientist at NRDC. “Once you cut into those forests with roads, logging, and—especially—mining, you substantially jeopardize water quality. The Roadless Rule is one of the key shields we have to protect our forests and clean water reserves from this planned onslaught.”
Despite the Trump administration’s claims that rescinding the rule would support better forest management, the facts tell a different story. The U.S. Forest Service is already overwhelmed with more than 370,000 miles of roads, with a maintenance backlog in the billions of dollars.
The public has a limited opportunity to voice their opinion on this proposal. The USDA has provided just 21 days for public comment, with the window closing on September 19th.
This decision comes with deep concern from a diverse array of stakeholders, including small business owners, Indigenous communities, scientists, and even wildland firefighters. These voices understand what’s at stake: clean water, safe communities, the protection of our wildlife, and the integrity of our National Parks.
TAKE ACTION! Tell President Trump to reverse his plans to open our national forests to harmful logging HERE!
