DEFEND THE ROADLESS RULE
America's Last Wild Forests Under Attack
The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule—America's most successful forest protection policly—faces its greatest threat in over two decades. On June 23, 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans to rescind protections for nearly 59 million acres of roadless national forests, opening these irreplaceable wild lands to logging, mining, and road construction. This represents 30% of our entire National Forest System, including 92% of Alaska's ancient Tongass rainforest and critical wildlife habitat from the Rockies to Appalachia.
The stakes couldn't be higher. These roadless areas provide drinking water to tens of millions of Americans, store massive amounts of carbon to fight climate change, and support a $887 billion outdoor recreation economy that employs millions. The original rule was supported by over 1.6 million public comments—more than any federal rule in U.S. history. Now we need your voice again. The Forest Service must hear from Americans who value clean water, wildlife habitat, and our last wild forests over corporate profits.
Why the Roadless Rule Must Be Protected:
- Protects Clean Water: Roadless areas provide drinking water to tens of millions of Americans and save communities millions in water filtration costs
- Fights Climate Change: These forests store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests, with old-growth trees acting as our best natural climate defense
- Supports Rural Economies: Outdoor recreation creates over 680,000 jobs in the South alone, with roadless areas protecting 11,000+ climbing routes, 44,000 miles of trails, and 1,000+ paddling runs
- Preserves Wildlife Habitat: Critical habitat for grizzly bears, wolves, salmon, California condors, and hundreds of threatened species
- Wildfire Claims Are False: Studies show fires are 4x more likely in roaded areas; the rule already allows fire prevention activities
- Overwhelming Public Support: The rule received more public comments than any in U.S. history and has survived 13 years of legal challenges
- Protects Sacred Sites: Many roadless areas contain sites sacred to Native Americans and Alaska Natives
- Saves Taxpayer Money: The Forest Service has a $6 billion backlog maintaining existing roads—we don't need more