2 weeks ago
Trump Administration Moves to Rescind National Forest Protections
The Trump administration wants to remove a rule that protects many undeveloped national forests.
The rule has limited logging, road building and mining since 2001.
It covers about 59 million acres, or roughly 30% of the national forest system.
Officials say local forest managers should have more power to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risks.
They say overgrown trees, insects and disease can make forests easier to burn.
Environmental groups disagree and say removing the rule could hurt forests, animals and water supplies.
They also warn that more development could increase wildfire dangers.
One critic says the Forest Service already lacks enough money to maintain its existing roads.
The proposal is not yet a final decision.
The Trump administration proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protects nearly 59 million acres of undeveloped national forest land.
The proposal would allow local national forest managers greater authority over logging, road construction, mining and other development.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the rule has hindered efforts to address overgrown forests, insect outbreaks, disease and wildfire risks.
Environmental groups warned that removing protections could harm old-growth forests, wildlife, water supplies and potentially increase wildfire risks.
Critics also questioned the proposal’s cost, citing the United States Forest Service’s multibillion-dollar maintenance backlog and 368,000 miles of existing forest roads.
- Who
- The Trump administration and the United States Forest Service proposed the change; environmental groups and other conservation critics opposed it.
- What
- They moved to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and transfer more development authority to local national forest managers.
- Where
- National forests in the United States, including areas covered by the rule across nearly 59 million acres.
- When
- The proposal was announced Tuesday; the rule was signed in 2001, and the administration first announced its intention to rescind it last summer.
- Why
- The administration says the rule limits forest-health and wildfire-risk work, while opponents say removing it would threaten ecosystems, wildlife and water supplies.
Environmental and conservation concerns
Forest management and wildfire reduction
Effect of removing protections
Environmental and conservation concerns
Environmental groups say lifting the rule could damage old-growth forests, wildlife and water supplies and may increase wildfire risks.
Forest management and wildfire reduction
The administration says the rule is a one-size-fits-all barrier that prevents local managers from improving forest health and reducing wildfire risks.
Local versus national control
Environmental and conservation concerns
Opponents argue that political appointees should not remove protections from public lands and wildlife.
Forest management and wildfire reduction
The administration says authority should be restored to local national forest managers who can respond to conditions in individual forests.
Costs and development
Environmental and conservation concerns
Conservation critics warn that opening lands to logging, road building and other development threatens ecologically and economically valuable landscapes such as the Tongass National Forest.
Forest management and wildfire reduction
Supporters emphasize that management activities could address forest problems, while critic David Jenkins separately argues that the Forest Service cannot afford to maintain its existing road network.
Key facts
- Rule at issue
- The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule
- Land covered
- Nearly 59 million acres, about 30% of the National Forest System
- Activities restricted
- Logging, road construction, mining and other development in undeveloped forests
- Administration’s rationale
- Restore local management authority and address overgrown stands, insect outbreaks, disease and wildfire risks
- Wildfire figures
- About 7.3 million acres burned in roughly 49,000 fires through August 17, according to the National Interagency Fire Center
- Existing road network
- The national forests contain 368,000 miles of roads, according to critic David Jenkins
- Proposal status
- The administration has proposed rescinding the rule; the change has not been described as finalized
Quotes
Brooke Rollins
US Agriculture Secretary
“"Our forests can’t afford another decade of inaction. Across the country, we’ve watched preventable conditions — overgrown stands, insect outbreaks and disease — turn healthy landscapes into tinderboxes."”
livemint.com
“"From fisheries to tourism and outdoor recreation, these landscapes also support thousands of jobs and generate billions in economic activity each year."”
livemint.com
Chris Krupp
Attorney with WildEarth Guardians
“"Americans across the political spectrum have made it crystal clear that they don’t want political appointees removing protections from public lands. It would be a gross misreading of public sentiment to take the roadless rule away from Americans and our wildlife, and politicians do so at their jeopardy."”
livemint.com
Sources
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