The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule—America's most successful forest protection policy—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 help supply drinking water to at least 124 million Americans in more than 3,400 communities across 33 states (DellaSala 2011), 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
The outdoor recreation industry generates $730 billion in annual revenue and 6.5 million jobs nationwide, with roadless areas providing world-class recreation opportunities
Preserves Wildlife Habitat
Critical habitat for over 1,600 threatened or endangered species, including grizzly bears, wolves, salmon, and Canada lynx
Fire Safety Facts Debunk Opposition Claims
Aplet et al. 2026 (Fire Ecology): ignition density 7.99 fires/1,000 ha within 50m of roads vs. 1.97 in roadless areas — a fourfold difference based on 32 years of data
Overwhelming Public Support
1.6M comments in 2001; ~600K more in 2025 with >99.8% opposed (roadless.org analysis); 76% voter support in Pew Feb 2026 poll
Protects Sacred Sites
Many roadless areas contain sites sacred to Native Americans and Alaska Natives
Saves Taxpayer Money
The Forest Service has over 370,000 miles of existing roads creating a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog—we don't need more expensive roads

America's Inventoried Roadless Areas - 59 million acres under threat

Research-Backed Facts:
Fire Research Proves Roads Increase Risk
Aplet et al. 2026 (Fire Ecology) — 32 years of data show ignition density of 7.99 fires/1,000 ha within 50m of roads vs. 1.97 in inventoried roadless areas
Massive Economic Impact
Protected roadless areas are scenic backdrops for iconic trails like the Continental Divide, Pacific Crest, and Appalachian Trails
Water Security
National forests serve as the source of drinking water for at least 124 million Americans (DellaSala 2011)—roadless areas contain all or portions of 354 municipal watersheds
Road Maintenance Crisis
USFS has a 380,000-mile road system with a deferred-maintenance backlog estimated at $8.4 billion ($15.6 billion in today's dollars) — adding new roads to roadless areas would only deepen the hole
Alaska's Tongass at Risk
Road construction costs $160,000-$500,000 per mile in the Tongass due to difficult terrain—taxpayers shouldn't subsidize this destruction
KEY FACTS & RESOURCES
ROADLESS RESEARCH
Take Action:
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Let Congress know you oppose the repeal
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Learn More
Explore research and facts about roadless areas
Research
59M
Acres at Risk
124M+
Americans Depend on Roadless Water
1,600+
Threatened Species Protected