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US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-16 01:09 UTC → 2026-10-22 23:16 UTC · added removed

The Trump administration has formally filed a proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. This action would potentially open approximately 45 million acres of public lands to road construction, logging, mining, and possible privatization. The Roadless Rule rule currently protects about 59 million acres of public land, primarily in Alaska, the Western United States, New England, and Appalachia. While the federal change would impact these areas, states such as Colorado and Idaho maintain their own independent protections that would remain unaffected. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that the rescission is intended to “improve wildfire risk management and return control to local authorities.” Opposition remains significant. Critics argue has intensified as the rule protects delicate ecosystems and watersheds, contending that wildfires are more likely USDA moves forward. In Wyoming, the administration plans to occur near roads. This aligns with previous concerns from environmental groups open roughly 6.2 million acres to increased motorized access, including ATVs and local governments, e-bikes, a move USDA Undersecretary Mike Boren claims will remove “unnecessary barriers” to recreation. However, conservationists warn of “unsustainable outcomes” such as soil erosion and degraded water quality. Local governments remain divided; while Union County, Oregon, has called for the rule’s rescission to increase citizen access, Missoula County, Montana, which challenged the administration’s wildfire risk claims by maintains its opposition, citing research suggesting roads can increase ignition risks. Recent analysis of public feedback indicates overwhelming opposition to the proposal. An evaluation by the Center rule’s necessity for Western Priorities protecting watersheds and fisheries. Public backlash has been massive. Following the close of the comment period on October 6, reports indicate over 370,000 1 million comments and were submitted, with approximately 296,000 signatures found that opposition to removing protections reached as high as 99.99% when accounting for unique individual comments. Conservation groups, including 99% opposing the Sierra Club, have been active repeal. This follows a pattern of overwhelming dissent seen in the process, with some submitting up to one million signatures. The administration’s own analysis previously noted previous years. Advocacy groups, including Outdoor Alliance, note that rescinding this substantial public record may form the rule could result in millions of dollars lost basis for future legal challenges to the recreation economy, threaten drinking water, and impact fish, wildlife, and Tribal sovereignty. In Wyoming, protect the Wyoming Game 80,000 river miles and Fish Department has expressed support drinking water for the full elimination of an estimated 25 million Americans currently safeguarded by the rule, citing a desire for more local control and dissatisfaction with federal mandates. rule.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-22 23:16 UTC US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule
  2. 2026-10-16 01:09 UTC US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule
  3. 2026-10-09 04:51 UTC US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule
  4. 2026-09-24 01:57 UTC US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule
  5. 2026-09-17 20:34 UTC US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule
  6. 2026-09-15 18:55 UTC US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule
  7. 2026-09-03 15:18 UTC US proposal to repeal Roadless Rule

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