USDA Proposes Removing ‘Roadless Rule’ on Millions of Acres of National Forest Land
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to remove the "Roadless Rule" that restricts road construction and timber harvesting in 44 million acres of national forest land, much of which is in Western states, including Utah. This change aims to…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 18, 2026 —
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed the removal of the “Roadless Rule,” a federal regulation that currently prohibits road construction and timber harvesting across approximately 44 million acres of U.S. National Forest System lands. The majority of these lands are situated in Western states, with Utah being among those significantly affected.
This proposed policy change is intended to grant local communities and groups greater authority in managing forest resources. Proponents suggest that this increased local control could lead to more effective strategies for reducing wildfire risk.
However, the proposal has raised concerns among environmental organizations and some elected officials. Critics argue that lifting the restrictions could paradoxically increase wildfire risks rather than decrease them. There are also apprehensions regarding the potential negative impacts on air quality and the safety of drinking water sources that rely on these forest ecosystems.
The “Roadless Rule” was established to protect inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System from development. The specific details regarding the timeline for public comment on the proposed removal and the potential implementation date were not provided in the available information.
Story summarized from the original created by Eva Terry on www.deseret.com, see more information here.