Environment & Climate
Trump administration rescinds roadless rule, opening 45 million acres of national forests to development
Officials state the decision aims to reduce wildfire risk, while a conservation group warns it threatens hundreds of endangered species and municipal water supplies.
The short version
- The Trump administration has repealed the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, opening more than 45 million acres of national forest land to logging, drilling, and road construction.
- Administration officials stated that previous restrictions hindered efforts to perform forest health treatments and reduce wildfire risks.
- A report by the Center for Biological Diversity warns that the policy change imperils over 400 endangered species and 7.4 million acres of critical habitat.
- The decision could affect drinking water supplies and local economies across multiple regions, including Alaska, the Southwest, and the Southeast.
Key facts
- The Trump administration rescinded the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, affecting over 45 million acres of national forests.[The Guardian]
- The administration cited outdated restrictions that prevented treatments necessary to improve forest health and lower wildfire risks.[The Guardian]
- The Center for Biological Diversity reported that the rollback puts over 400 endangered species and nearly 1,800 miles of protected waterways at risk.[The Guardian]
- Affected public lands contain watersheds providing drinking water to cities such as Atlanta, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Sitka.[The Guardian]