SANTA FE, N.M. — The Trump administration has announced plans to rescind a long-standing rule that prohibited logging on national forest lands, as revealed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Monday.
The roadless rule, put in place during the final days of Bill Clinton’s presidency in 2001, has been a source of contention for Republican lawmakers, particularly in the Western states where vast national forests and a declining logging industry intersect.
Rollins argued that the roadless rule hindered road construction and responsible timber production, which could have aided in reducing the risk of severe wildfires. This decision, she stated at the annual Western Governors Association meeting, marks the beginning of a new era of consistency and sustainability for the nation’s forests.
The rule impacted approximately 30% of national forest lands nationwide, totaling around 59 million acres (24 million hectares), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service.
It’s important to note that state roadless-area rules in Idaho and Colorado take precedence over the boundaries set by the 2001 roadless rule, meaning not all national forest land will be affected by the rescission, as per the USDA.
This move comes amidst discussions about selling off federal lands to enhance housing affordability, a proposal that has faced criticism from Democrats who view it as a form of public land seizure. The idea of selling public lands received a mixed response from governors at the same meeting.
Outside the summit in Santa Fe, several hundred protesters gathered to voice their opposition, chanting ‘Not For Sale’ and drumming.
On the other hand, this shift in roadless area policy starkly contrasts with the approach taken by the Biden administration, which aimed to further restrict logging and protect old-growth forests rather than opening up more areas for timber harvesting.
Environmental groups, advocating for the preservation of restrictions on logging and road-building in places like Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, have criticized the potential rollback of protections.
Josh Hicks, conservation campaigns director at The Wilderness Society, emphasized the importance of maintaining these safeguards for the environment and communities threatened by escalating wildfire seasons.
Contrary to claims that logging reduces wildfire risk, Rachael Hamby, political director at the Center for Western Priorities, argued that logging exacerbates climate change and intensifies wildfires.
Hamby described the move as a significant concession to timber companies at the expense of the American people and the shared forests.
In Alaska, where the Tongass National Forest is located, the roadless rule has been a focal point of legal disputes, with state leaders advocating for exemptions to promote economic opportunities.
During the latter part of President Trump’s first term, restrictions on logging and road-building in the Tongass were lifted by the federal government, a decision later reversed by the Biden administration.
Trump’s executive order in January aimed at boosting oil and gas development, mining, and logging in Alaska sought to revert to the policies of his initial term.
The Tongass, known for its temperate rainforest, glaciers, and diverse wildlife, serves as a vital habitat for numerous species including bears, wolves, salmon, and bald eagles.
Reporting by Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska. Contributions by Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Matthew Daly in Washington, D.C., and Matthew Brown in Helena, Montana.
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