Proposal to Scrap Roadless Rule Draws Public Outcry

Proposal to Scrap Roadless Rule Draws Public Outcry

At least half a million say 'No' in initial round of public comment

Contacts

Jackson Chiappinelli, Earthjustice, [email protected]

Emily Denny, The Wilderness Society, [email protected]

Andrew Scibetta, NRDC, [email protected]

Anja Semanco, Alaska Wilderness League, [email protected]

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins' plan to repeal the Roadless Rule - which would open the door to widespread destruction of cherished national forestlands - is proving to be extremely unpopular. With the agency reporting on Monday that it had received 625,737 comments at the close of a public comment period, an independent tally collected by coordinating organizations showed that at least 500,000 of the public comments and petition sign-ons were sent by Americans opposed to the Roadless Rule rollback. The high volume collected in just 21 days, which according to news reports is among the current proposals posted to Regulations.gov that have received the most comments, indicates broad public outrage unleashed by the Trump administration's planned rollback.

In addition to the hundreds of thousands of public comments opposing the elimination of the Roadless Rule, 329 organizations sent a letter to Sec. Rollins opposing the rollback, and 55 members of Congress called for more time for the public to weigh in on the plan. Since June, when the rollback was first announced, a diverse array of voices have jumped to the defense of the Roadless Rule including former U.S. Forest Service chiefs, Attorneys General from multiple states, Tribal elders and leaders, scientists, business owners, wildland firefighters, local elected officials, hunters and anglers, outdoors enthusiasts and many others.

Many of the submitted comments centered on how irresponsible this rollback would be considering the trend of hotter and more severe wildfires that have plagued national forests in recent years. Research shows that more than 90 percent of fires occur within half a mile of roadways. Building more roads in national forests will open the door to more frequent wildfire disasters while industrial activities such as logging, mining, and oil-and-gas drilling could increase the risk of fire. The Roadless Rule already allows for treatment plans to reduce the risk of wildfires in susceptible forest areas, and protects trees that become more fire-resilient as they age. Building new roads would also saddle American taxpayers with the high cost of unnecessary new road construction.

The following is a joint statement from The Wilderness Society, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Alaska Wilderness League:

"The backcountry wild areas protected by the Roadless Rule are universally enjoyed and integral to what makes this nation special. As Americans, we have the right to explore these wild places - and we will not stand for auctioning them off to the highest bidder. Allowing the destruction of these lands would increase wildfire risk, pollute clean drinking water, deprive people of healthy outdoor recreation opportunities, jeopardize small businesses, and threaten the survival of thousands of species. The Roadless Rule must remain intact. These lands must remain protected for the American public - today, and for future generations."

Background

The Roadless Rule is a bedrock conservation regulation that ensures Americans have access to wide open public lands whenever they like, often at zero cost, for activities they love. Many hunters and anglers had a hand in writing the rule before it was enacted in 2001. Some 45 million acres of backcountry lands overseen by the U.S. Forest Service are protected against logging and roadbuilding under this policy, including forests spanning from East to West and north to Alaska's Tongass National Forest. These pristine public lands attract millions of visitors each year who enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing, and teaching younger generations about wilderness skills. They support healthy and active lifestyles while at the same time providing critical habitat for fish and wildlife, including valuable salmon populations. They also protect clean drinking water supplies for millions who reside in large cities such as Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles. Protected Roadless areas are also critical for food security for many Indigenous communities and help sustain cultural practices such as hunting, fishing, and gathering plants for food, medicine, and traditional arts.

Additional Resources

• About the Biodiversity Defense Program

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