Overview
- The U.S. Forest Service filed a proposed rule and Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Tuesday to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, putting about 44–45 million acres of national forest under review.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and agency officials say the change will return decision-making to local forest managers and allow more active treatments, such as road access and thinning, to reduce wildfire risk.
- Conservation groups and many scientists say removing protections would raise human-caused ignitions because most fires start near roads, and they warn of harm to old-growth forests, salmon watersheds and wildlife habitat.
- The filing does not itself authorize logging or new roads; it opens a public comment window through Sept. 21 and starts a regulatory process that officials and advocates say will almost certainly face litigation.
- Colorado and Idaho national forests are exempt because of state-level rules, Western governors and timber groups support the proposal, and opponents say the move could increase wildfire risk, fragment habitat and trigger long legal and political fights.