Trump Proposes Rolling Back Roadless Area Conservation Rule

The administration of Donald Trump has proposed rolling back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule to expand domestic timber and energy production on federal lands. The plan would permit road construction and timber harvesting across millions of acres, including approximately 11,000 acres within the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois, specifically affecting areas such as Burke Branch and Ripple Hollow.

United States Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz and the United States Department of Agriculture argue the rollback is necessary to restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk. The proposal aligns with executive orders issued in 2025 aimed at increasing national self-reliance in timber and energy production.

Nearly 170 members of Congress and various environmental activists oppose the measure, claiming it prioritizes private logging and drilling profits over ecological conservation. Critics further argue that increasing road access could heighten wildfire risks by increasing human activity and the spread of invasive species. Following this opposition, the United States Department of Agriculture extended the public comment period to October 6, with a formal decision to follow.