Trump Administration Rescinds Roadless Rule for Old-Growth Forests 2026

The Trump administration has moved to rescind the roadless rule, a 25-year-old protection for old-growth forests, potentially opening nearly 45 million acres of national forests to road construction, drilling, and logging. This controversial decision, announced by the U.S. Forest Service, reverses a Clinton-era policy that conservationists have long considered a cornerstone of forest preservation. The proposal now enters a public comment period, but environmental groups are already mobilizing to defend these vital ecosystems.

What Is the Roadless Rule?

The Roadless Area Conservation Rule, enacted in 2001, prohibited road building and most logging in designated inventoried roadless areas within national forests. These areas cover about 58.5 million acres, with roughly 45 million acres directly affected by the rescission. The rule was designed to protect pristine habitats, watersheds, and old-growth forests from industrial development.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the rule has been "overly restrictive" and an "absurd obstacle" to forest management and wildfire prevention. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins argued that outdated restrictions have kept tens of millions of acres off-limits to treatments that could improve forest health and reduce wildfire risks.

Why the Trump Administration Wants to Rescind It

The administration claims the rescission will remove bureaucratic hurdles and allow for more active forest management, including thinning and controlled burns. However, critics see this as a giveaway to the logging and energy industries. The move would open iconic areas like California's Tahoe National Forest, Alaska's Tongass National Forest, and lands along the Appalachian Trail to potential exploitation.

Impact on Old-Growth Forests

Old-growth forests are critical for biodiversity, carbon storage, and clean water. They provide habitat for endangered species and act as natural buffers against climate change. The rescission could lead to fragmentation of these ecosystems, harming wildlife and increasing erosion.

Reactions from Conservation Groups

The Sierra Club's forest campaign manager, Alex Craven, stated that the rule is "the only thing preventing much of our wildest remaining national forests from industrial development." The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has called for public submissions to "defend our forests from the administration's chopping block."

Environmentalists emphasize that these forests provide clean air and water for millions of Americans and contain vast swathes of the last remaining old-growth trees. The public comment period is a critical window for citizens to voice opposition.

Key Takeaways

• The roadless rule has protected 45 million acres of national forests for 25 years.
• Rescission would allow road building, logging, and drilling in these areas.
• Old-growth forests face immediate threats to biodiversity and climate resilience.
• Conservation groups urge public participation in the comment period.
• The decision could set a precedent for future environmental rollbacks.

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