USDA considers repeal of Roadless Area Conservation Rule

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving toward the potential repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule currently protects more than a quarter of the nation's forests, covering approximately 45 million acres of land.

Advocacy groups and conservationists are urging the public to submit comments to the USDA before the September 21 deadline. Proponents of the rule argue that these protections are vital for maintaining clean drinking water for 80 million people, preserving wildlife habitats, and protecting native trout and salmon populations. Specifically, trout and salmon are reported to be 40 percent more common in roadless areas than in forested lands with roads.

Concerns regarding the repeal include increased wildfire risks, as a 2026 U.S. Forest Service study indicated that nearly two-thirds of human-caused fires occur near roadsides. The rule currently prevents activities such as logging and road construction in these protected zones.