USDA Rescinding 2001 Roadless Rule for National Forest System

During a meeting of the Western Governors’ Association, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. This rule currently restricts road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvesting on approximately 59 million acres of National Forest System land.

The USDA stated that removing the rule will improve forest management by allowing for more active wildfire prevention and timber production, particularly in states like Utah, Montana, and Alaska, where a significant portion of forest lands are affected. The agency also emphasized the potential economic benefits for rural communities, including job creation and support for the forestry sector.

The decision aligns with a broader federal initiative aimed at reducing regulatory barriers and increasing local decision-making authority in land management. USDA officials noted that nearly half of the affected roadless areas are considered high-risk for wildfire, and increased management flexibility could aid in mitigating fire threats and protecting infrastructure.