USDA Rescinds Clinton-Era Roadless Rule on 59M Acres

The Trump administration, led by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, announced plans to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which currently protects nearly 59 million acres of U.S. Forest Service land from road construction, logging, and mining. Rollins argued that the rule has hindered forest management and wildfire prevention, contributing to increased wildfire risk and decimating the timber industry, especially in states like Utah and Montana. The repeal aims to return control to local forest managers to enable responsible thinning and timber production, with an expected 25% increase in timber output by 2028. However, environmental groups and some state leaders have criticized the move, warning it favors industrial logging interests over conservation and could exacerbate climate change and wildfire intensity. The repeal excludes Colorado and Idaho, which have their own regulations, and will be accompanied by a new endangered species committee led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. This decision reflects the Trump administration's broader deregulatory agenda and efforts to support rural economies but faces opposition from conservation advocates concerned about the long-term effects on forest ecosystems.