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Trump administration moves ahead to end roadless rule on national forests, including Oregon
KPTV • • general
Key Points:
- The Trump administration is moving forward with a proposal to rescind the 2001 roadless rule, which restricts logging, road building, and development on about 59 million acres of national forest lands.
- The U.S. Forest Service argues the rule has hindered local forest managers from addressing wildfire risks and improving forest health by imposing a uniform restriction nationwide.
- Environmentalists strongly oppose the move, warning it would harm old growth forests, wildlife, and water supplies, and dispute claims that lifting the rule would reduce wildfire threats.
- Critics also highlight concerns about fiscal responsibility, noting the Forest Service's existing backlog in road maintenance and questioning the agency’s capacity to manage expanded road networks.
- The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the proposal and environmental impact statement until September 21, with no immediate mandate for timber cutting or road construction.
