U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule, a move aimed at enhancing forest management and economic growth.
The decision, revealed at the Western Governors’ Association meeting, lifts restrictions on road construction and timber harvesting across 58.5 million acres of National Forest System lands.
The USDA cited the rule’s limitations, which affect 30% of national forests, including 92% of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, as a barrier to fire prevention and rural development.
States like Utah and Montana, where over half of forest lands are restricted, face heightened wildfire risks and economic losses.
The repeal aligns with President Trump’s deregulation agenda, empowering local managers to reduce wildfire threats and support jobs.
Critics argue the move could harm ecosystems, but supporters hail it as a step toward sustainable forest use.
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