August 18, 2026 · National forests / Roadless Rule / Environmental regulation
Trump administration files proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule for national forests
The U.S. Forest Service filed a proposal to rescind the nationwide 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, shifting more decisions about road construction, timber harvest and related management to forest-level plans and local managers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins argues the change will improve forest health and wildfire management; environmental groups dispute that rationale and warn that more roads and development can increase human-caused ignitions. The proposal remains in rulemaking and is not yet a final rule.
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