The Trump administration formalized its long-running threat to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule today, citing false claims about wildfire suppression to support its decision, and ignoring the will of millions of Americans who supported the rule's creation in 2001 and objected to the rescission plan announced a year ago.
Rescinding the Roadless Rule will threaten nearly 58 million acres of undeveloped backcountry forestland managed by the U.S. Forest Service, comprising around a third of the territory in our national forest system – including 144,000 acres in North Carolina. This puts many of our most beloved areas at risk.
Speak up to support the Roadless Rule: Submit your comments by Sept. 21!
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins claimed that the rule is a "one-size-fits-all restriction" that hampers backcountry management to reduce wildfire risk, despite research indicating a higher risk of fires starting near roads in national forests, and much lower in roadless areas.
"The truth is that this administration simply wants to re-open these forests to logging and other industrial development, as it is attempting to do on other publicly owned lands nationwide," said David Reid, the N.C. Sierra Club's issue lead on national forests.
"Logging, drilling and other unchecked development on federal lands will destroy wildlife habitat, old growth forest and recreation areas beloved by millions of North Carolinians and visitors. It will also threaten clean drinking water sources and accelerate climate change.
"Our public servants are ignoring the will of a majority of Americans by brushing aside our concerns and trampling on the unspoiled landscapes that we love."
The USDA said information on how the public can submit comments will be made available on Wednesday, Aug. 19, with a comment deadline set for midnight on Monday, Sept. 21.