Trump Administration Seeks to End Roadless Rule, Threatening Eastern U.S. Forests

When most people envision national forests, they picture vast Western landscapes like Alaska, the Rockies, or the Pacific Northwest. However, millions of acres of federal woodlands are also scattered across the eastern half of the country. These vital ecosystems, long protected by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, may soon face new threats.

The rule, adopted in 2001 during the final days of the Clinton administration, was designed to address a critical issue: the U.S. Forest Service had built more roads than it could maintain. Many of these roads were deteriorating, polluting streams, fragmenting habitats, and degrading drinking water quality—even alarming agency scientists. The policy barred road construction and logging in nearly 60 million acres of undeveloped national forest across 39 states.

In the eastern U.S., these protected areas provide rare ecological havens amid dense development. Now, the Trump administration is pushing to dismantle the rule, opening these lands to logging and mining. The future of these forests—and the communities that depend on them—hangs in the balance.

Why the Trump Administration Wants to Repeal the Roadless Rule

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, argues that the roadless rule limits its ability to reduce wildfire risks, maintain access for firefighters, and promote forest health. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has called the policy an “absurd obstruction” and “overly restrictive,” claiming its repeal would grant the Forest Service greater flexibility to manage woodlands and support rural economies.

Conservationists Warn of Irreparable Damage

Environmental advocates strongly oppose the administration’s stance, arguing that it ignores both science and the critical role these forests play. Roadless areas shelter wildlife, support outdoor recreation, protect drinking water for millions, and store carbon to combat climate change.

“Roadless areas are a finite resource. They are our last best stretches of national forest land.”

— Garrett Rose, Natural Resources Defense Council

Even former leaders of the Forest Service have spoken out against the repeal. Four former chiefs, with a combined 150 years of experience, have urged the administration to preserve the rule.

“Removing protection of these precious lands that belong to all citizens, rich and poor, would be an irreparable tragedy.”

— Vicki Christiansen, Forest Service Chief (2018–2021)

How the Roadless Rule Protects Eastern Forests

The policy safeguards about one-third of all national forest land, with 95% of protected acreage located in 10 Western states, where vast, contiguous forests are more common. East of the Mississippi River, however, the rule shields smaller, more vulnerable parcels.

• Shawnee National Forest (Illinois): Only 4,000 acres remain road-free.
• Southeastern U.S.: Roughly 416,000 acres are protected.
• 12 Western states: Hold 96% of all roadless acreage.

Data source: Congressional Research Service; USDA Forest Service