Trump administration moves to rescind roadless rule

The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it is moving ahead with plans to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a quarter-century-old regulation that restricted logging, road construction, and other development on about 59 million acres of national forest land. The U.S. Forest Service filed a proposal in the Federal Register to eliminate the rule, arguing that it is a one-size-fits-all restriction that hinders local forest managers and impedes efforts to reduce wildfire risks. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called the rule a failure and said the proposal would restore authority to local managers. Environmental groups, including WildEarth Guardians, Alaska Wilderness League, and Sierra Club, strongly oppose the move, warning of detrimental effects on old-growth forests, wildlife, and water supplies. They have vowed to fight the proposal. The public comment period ends September 21.