Paving paradise: Dismantling the US Roadless Rule threatens to disrupt wildlife, water and peace in the last quiet places in America
The plan would remove road and logging limits on nearly 59 million acres, drawing broad opposition over wildlife habitat, watersheds and recreation.
- The Trump administration proposed rolling back the 2001 Roadless Rule, which would remove prohibitions on road construction and logging on nearly 59 million acres of national forest.
- Issued by President Bill Clinton in 2001, the Roadless Rule applies to over 58 million acres across 38 states and Puerto Rico, aiming to maintain forest health and productivity.
- Roadless areas protect critical core habitat, with the median area supporting 10 species of conservation concern, while safeguarding watersheds supplying drinking water to 47 million Americans.
- Public comments overwhelmingly opposed the rollback, while in Congress an amendment to the Wildfire Prevention Act seeks to remove the rule and prevent future reinstitution.
- Expected to be formalized in 2026, the proposed rollback threatens to fragment habitats that cannot be restored, potentially compromising long-term ecological sustainability and watershed health.
11 Articles
11 Articles
The Billings Gazette
Letter to the editor: Why the Roadless Rule matters more than ever
As a father, a citizen, and a resident of Montana, I am deeply concerned by efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule and weaken protections for some of our most wild and irreplaceable public lands.
The Conversation
Paving paradise: Dismantling the US Roadless Rule threatens to disrupt wildlife, water and peace in the last quiet places in America
A sign on a dirt hiking trail in the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska points to naturalist John Muir's cabin. Wanderluster/iStock/Getty ImagesPause for a moment and listen. What do you hear? Chances are, somewhere in the background, is the ever-present hum of a road. More than 4.2 million miles of public roads crisscross the lower 48 states – enough to reach the Moon and back almost nine times. This vast network of roads spiderwebs it…
Paving paradise: Dismantling america Roadless Rule threatens to disrupt flora and fauna, water and peace within the ultimate quiet puts in The us
Pause for a second and pay attention. What do you pay attention? Chances are high that, someplace within the background, is the ubiquitous hum of a highway. Greater than 4.2 million miles of public roads crisscross the decrease 48 states – sufficient to succeed in the Moon and again nearly 9 instances. This huge community of roads spiderwebs its means around the contiguous U.S., leaving most effective about 5% as an inventoried roadless space or…
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