U.S. administration proposes repeal of Roadless Area Conservation Rule

The Trump administration, through U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, has proposed a rule to repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This proposal could impact over 44 million acres of roadless National Forest System lands, potentially allowing for road construction, logging, and mining in areas previously protected for wildlife habitat and recreation.

In Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has expressed support for the full elimination of the rule, citing a desire for more local control and dissatisfaction with federal mandates. The department argues that locally driven planning is better suited to manage forest health and public access. However, this position contrasts with the majority of public feedback; approximately 99.1% of the 370,238 public comments received by the U.S. Forest Service opposed the elimination of roadless areas.

Conservation groups, such as Wilderness Watch, argue that instead of repealing the rule, the government should strengthen it to close existing loopholes that currently allow for industrial development in certain roadless areas.