Roadless Rule Remains a Shield Against Logging Threats to America’s Forests

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration advanced its plans to rescind the Roadless Rule—a landmark safeguard that prevents roadbuilding and destructive logging across more than 58 million acres of national forest—marking a direct attack on some of the nation’s most important conservation protections.  

For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has shielded intact forest landscapes across 39 states, preserving clean drinking water, vital wildlife habitat, and the nation’s outdoor recreation heritage. Its rollback would open the door to logging and road construction on lands that serve as the backbone of America’s forest system. 

“The Roadless Rule is not just a policy—it’s a promise to future generations. It’s our shield against reckless logging, a guarantee that America’s wildest forests will remain sources of clean water, unparalleled recreation, thriving wildlife, and climate resilience,” said Andrew Wetzler, senior vice president of Nature at NRDC. “Dismantling it would be nothing short of a disaster for our people and our planet.  

“America’s forests are not a piggy bank for timber companies,” Wetzler added. “They are our natural savings account for clean water, recreation, wildlife, and climate stability." 

Administration officials have justified the rollback by claiming it will help reduce wildfire risk. But the science tells a very different story.  

“The administration is peddling a dangerous myth that more roads and more logging will protect communities from wildfire,” said Garett Rose, senior attorney at NRDC. “But the science tells us the opposite: Fires are more likely to start near roads. Weakening the Roadless Rule won’t make communities safer—it will only trash the public’s heritage forests to enrich timber companies.” 

According to NRDC's analysis of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's emergency logging directives, it would threaten 35 million acres of mature and old-growth forests; 32 million acres of land with high importance for drinking water; and critical habitat for more than 20 threatened and endangered species.  

“Our analysis shows that nearly one-third of the forests that this administration is targeting for logging are listed by the Forest Service’s own report as highly important for drinking water,” said Dr. Dawn Woodard, staff scientist at NRDC. “Once you cut into those forests with roads, logging, and—especially—mining, you substantially jeopardize water quality. The Roadless Rule is one of the key shields we have to protect our forests and clean water reserves from this planned onslaught.” 

NRDC has long played a central role in securing and defending the Roadless Rule, which has withstood more than two decades of legal and political challenges. Overwhelming public support, reflected in hearings, bipartisan coalitions, and millions of comments, has consistently reaffirmed the rule’s importance to communities across the country. 

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).