Trump Administration Proposes Rescinding 2001 National Roadless Rule

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a proposal on August 18, 2026, to entirely rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The move would remove protections from approximately 44 to 59 million acres of national forest land across 38 states, eliminating prohibitions on road construction, commercial logging, and mineral leasing. The administration argues the 25-year-old rule is a one-size-fits-all restriction that has created tinderboxes by hindering wildfire risk reduction and forest health treatments.

By removing the national designation, the proposal shifts decision-making authority to local forest managers. The U.S. Forest Service estimates the change could open 4.8 million acres to logging, potentially increasing annual sawtimber harvests by 5% to 10%. While the proposal affects most of the country, Colorado and Idaho are exempt due to existing state-specific regulations. Republican governors in Utah, Wyoming, and Montana supported the move, stating it restores local flexibility.

Environmental groups, including Earthjustice and The Wilderness Society, condemned the proposal, arguing that roads increase human-caused wildfire ignitions and threaten critical wildlife habitats. Critics also pointed to a multi-billion dollar road maintenance backlog as a fiscal concern. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting public comments on the proposal and a draft environmental impact statement through September 21, 2026.