Trump Moves to Strip Protections From 44M Acres of National Forest
The move would open nearly 45 million acres to roads and logging, as environmental groups warn it could raise wildfire risk and harm water supplies.
- On Tuesday, the Trump administration proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, a move that would open nearly 45 million acres of national forest to road construction, logging, and other development across 37 states.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the proposal restores authority to local forest managers, arguing that removing outdated restrictions will improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk to communities.
- Environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council argue the rescission increases wildfire risk, citing studies showing human-caused ignitions are four times more likely in areas with roads than roadless forests.
- Forests currently provide drinking water to 180 million Americans, and critics warn that development could degrade watersheds while harming local economies relying on recreation spots like the Appalachian Trail.
- The Agriculture Department opened a 30-day public comment period ending September 21, as the timber industry seeks to develop projects on millions of acres of old-growth trees previously protected from commercial logging.
37 Articles
37 Articles
White House Moves to Scrap 'Roadless' Rule in US Forests
The Trump administration is moving to scrap a decades-old safeguard that kept huge stretches of national forests largely untouched. A new US Forest Service proposal that was advanced on Tuesday would overturn the 2001 "roadless rule," clearing the way for road-building and logging on about 45 million acres, including 9...
US moves to open vast tracts of pristine forests to logging
The proposal would rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, enacted in the final days of the Clinton administration, which barred development across vast areas of public forests and grasslands designated as "inventoried roadless areas." In a statement announcing the move, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the rule had prevented the Forest Service from carrying out vital management work that would curb wildfires. "Across the cou…
Trump administration moves to rescind rule that protects millions of acres of national forest
The Trump administration has proposed to roll back a decades-old rule that protects undeveloped forests. The change would open the areas up to logging, roads and mining.
Associated Press News
Trump administration moves ahead to end roadless rule on national forests
The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to rescind a quarter-century-old rule that blocked logging and other development on national forest lands, drawing the ire of environmentalists nationwide.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
