Public opposition reaches 99% against rescinding Roadless Rule

An analysis of public feedback reveals that over 99% of comments oppose the Trump administration’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The rule currently protects approximately 44.7 million acres of National Forest lands, including nearly 2 million acres in Oregon.

The Center for Western Priorities reviewed over 370,000 comments and approximately 296,000 additional signatures or attachments. Using artificial intelligence to assist in the review, the analysis found that opposition to removing the protections reached as high as 99.99% when accounting for unique individual comments.

Conservation groups, including the Sierra Club, have been active in the process, with some submitting up to one million signatures. The administration’s own analysis previously noted that rescinding the rule could result in millions of dollars lost to the recreation economy, threaten drinking water, and impact fish, wildlife, and Tribal sovereignty.