Trump administration to rescind rule protecting old growth forests
The Trump administration has announced plans to rescind the 2001 'roadless rule,' which currently protects 45 million acres of national forests from industrial development. Environmental groups have strongly criticized the proposal, citing risks to wildlife habitats and clean water sources.
Why it matters
The decision could significantly alter land management policies in the US, pitting industrial development interests against environmental conservation efforts.
The entrance to George Washington National Forest on June 5, 2023. via Getty Images The entrance to George Washington National Forest on June 5, 2023. via Getty Images Trump administration Trump administration to rescind rule protecting old growth forests Almost 45m acres of national forests could be potentially opened to road construction, drilling and logging
Prefer the Guardian on Google The Trump administration said on Tuesday it plans to rescind the “roadless rule” that has protected old growth forests in the US for 25 years, potentially opening up almost 45m acres of national forests to road construction, drilling and logging.
Conservationists had feared the announcement was coming since last summer after Brooke Rollins, Trump’s secretary of agriculture, targeted a rule brought in by Bill Clinton’s administration, describing it as “overly restrictive” and an “absurd obstacle” to development.
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