Trump administration moves to end rule protecting swaths of forest land

What the report says

The US Department of Agriculture has proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a policy that bars road building and logging across nearly 45 million acres of national forest land. According to the agency, ending the rule would give more control to local forest managers and could help reduce wildfire risk by allowing more active forest treatment and easier access for firefighters.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the administration believes the existing restrictions have limited efforts to improve forest health. Republican leaders, including Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, backed the move and argued that federal oversight has slowed efforts to manage wildfire danger and road development. The USDA also said it is not ordering new timber cutting or road construction, but is instead opening the door to possible changes in how these lands are managed.

Environmental groups warned that repealing the rule could increase development, disturb wildlife habitat, and make fires more likely near roads. They pointed to research cited in the article suggesting fires start more often near roads than in roadless areas. The proposal comes as the United States is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons in years, with millions of acres already burned across several western states. The public comment period for the rule change runs until September 21.