Trump Administration Proposes Rescinding 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule

The United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service filed a proposal on August 18, 2026, to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This Clinton-era policy restricts road construction, commercial timber harvesting, and mineral leasing across approximately 59 million acres—roughly 30%—of the National Forest System. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins characterized the rule as a "one-size-fits-all" restriction that hinders wildfire prevention and forest health treatments.

Administration officials, including Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz and Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden, argue that removing these barriers is essential to combat overgrown stands, insect outbreaks, and disease. The proposal aims to restore decision-making authority to local forest managers, though officials state it does not mandate logging or road construction. The rule would not apply to Colorado and Idaho, which maintain state-specific regulations.

Conservation groups, including the Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and The Wilderness Society, condemn the move. They argue that removing protections will destroy critical wildlife habitats and jeopardize drinking water. Some critics, including California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, warn that increasing road access may actually increase human-caused wildfires. Additionally, fiscal conservatives and groups like Taxpayers for Common Sense point to a $6 billion deferred road maintenance backlog, arguing the agency lacks the budget for new construction.

Republican governors in Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, along with the American Forest Resource Council, support the rescission for improving fire crew access and management flexibility. The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the proposal and a draft environmental impact statement through September 21, 2026.