USDA Rescinds Roadless Rule, Boosting Active Forest Management
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially rescinded the Roadless Rule, a decades-old regulation that restricted road construction and timber harvesting on National Forest System lands. This move marks a significant step toward restoring balance to forest management policies and supporting the communities and private landowners who neighbor federally managed forests.
Originally implemented in 2001, the Roadless Rule limited active forest management in designated “roadless areas,” comprising nearly 60 million acres across the country. These restrictions hindered the ability of federal land managers to reduce hazardous fuel loads, combat invasive pests and diseases, and promote healthy, resilient forests. The unintended consequences of the rule placed neighboring private landowners at risk—especially during a time of increasing wildfire threats and forest health challenges.
In response to USDA’s announcement, the Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauded the decision, recognizing it as a commonsense move to enable better stewardship of federal lands and promote safer, more resilient forests for all.
“This is an important step forward for forest health and wildfire risk reduction,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association. “By removing unnecessary barriers to active management, Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration are creating safer neighbors for private forest landowners and restoring responsible stewardship to our public lands.”
Read the full announcement from USDA here:
USDA Press Release: Secretary Rollins Rescinds Roadless Rule
See what others are saying, including Scott Jones’ full statement: What They Are Saying: Strong Support for Rescinding the Roadless Rule
FLA will continue to advocate for policies that empower landowners, reduce wildfire risks, and promote science-based forest management practices across both public and private lands.