Trump administration proposes repeal of 45-million-acre roadless forest rule

The Trump administration has formally proposed rescinding a landmark conservation rule that has protected millions of acres of national forest from development for 25 years, setting up a major environmental policy battle. On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture filed a proposal to repeal the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which prohibits road construction and logging on nearly 45 million acres of national forest land.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated the move aims to reduce wildfire risk by empowering local forest managers. "For too long, outdated restrictions have kept tens of millions of forested acres off-limits to the very treatments that improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk to our communities," Rollins said. She argued that returning authority to local managers will allow for essential forest management activities, such as removing fire-prone dead timber. Officials clarified that the rescission would remove the national designation of roadless areas but does not mandate timber cutting or road construction.

The administration and supportive Republican lawmakers contend that building roads would improve firefighter access....