Washington, D.C. — Today, the Trump administration announced a proposed rule that would strip “roadless area” protections from tens of millions of acres of national forest lands that were established by the U.S. Forest Service 25 years ago. Roadless area protections conserve some of the nation’s most ecologically intact forests from development, including potential logging, oil and gas drilling, and—in the case of eastern forests—new mining.
At least 25 million people source their drinking water from watersheds that currently enjoy roadless area protections, with major cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City reliant on drinking water sourced from now-threatened forests. Outdoor user groups estimate that roadless national forests under threat protect more than 25,000 miles of trails, more than 8,600 climbing and bouldering routes, and more than 760 miles of whitewater paddling runs.
In response to the proposed rule, Drew McConville, senior fellow for Conservation Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Even for an administration that has repeatedly attacked America’s public lands and environmental protections, the reach and scale of this action stands out. By ripping protections from some of our oldest intact forests, the Trump administration is endangering the drinking water supplies of tens of millions and threatening wildlife habitats and recreation opportunities in almost every state. This shortsighted move will affect families living downstream; people who love to hike, camp, hunt, or fish on these lands; and generations of Americans to come.
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