Heinrich Statement Condemning Trump Administration Proposal to Repeal the Roadless Rule, Remove Protections for Millions of Acres of Public Lands

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement reacting to the Trump administration's announcement that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has filed a proposed rule to rescind the Roadless Rule.

Established more than 20 years ago, the Roadless Rule protects nearly 45 million acres of public lands administered by the USFS. The Trump administration is proposing to repeal the Roadless Rule, which would increase the risk of wildfires in these areas, carve up wildlife habitat, degrade opportunities for recreation, and threaten the headwaters that communities across the country rely on for clean drinking water.

The public has until September 21 to submit comments on the Trump administration's proposed rule. This comment period is the last chance for Americans to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule before it is enacted, and help keep millions of acres of public lands in public hands.

"Hunters, anglers, and public land lovers of all stripes will not take the Trump administration's assault on the Roadless Rule sitting down. These are our backcountry campsites, our wild trout streams, and the security habitat where we chase elk in the fall," said Heinrich. "These roadless areas are irreplaceable, and the Roadless Rule is what protects them. Americans have been clear - repeatedly and across party lines - that we don't want President Trump screwing with our public lands. Someone needs to tell him to get out of his golf cart and touch some grass."

As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Heinrich is leading the fight in Congress to protect the Roadless Rule and keep public lands in public hands.

Earlier this summer, Heinrich hosted a press conference on Senate Republicans' efforts to repeal the Roadless Rule and spoke out against the Trump administration's efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule.

Additionally, Heinrich wrote an op-ed in Outside News about how the Roadless Rule helps conserve our public lands and prevent wildfires - and how it represents years of input from Americans who have made it clear they want the Roadless Rule to stay in place.

In May, Heinrich and the N.M. congressional delegation urged New Mexicans to voice their opposition to the looming Roadless Rule repeal.

In February, Heinrich attended the "Camo at the Capitol Day" rally in the Roundhouse where he stated, "It makes me incredibly proud to be a New Mexican. They'll never take our public lands from our public hands."

Last September, Heinrich and the N.M. congressional delegation sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting that New Mexico be excluded from the Trump administration's proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule.

During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee hearing to examine pending legislation, Heinrich brought attention to the Trump administration's refusal to take public opinion into account prior to repealing the Roadless Rule.

In June 2025, Heinrich released a statement slamming USDA Secretary Rollins' efforts to rescind the roadless rule.

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