Protections on 59 Million Acres of Forest Land Rescinded – POWDER Magazine

USDA Announces Rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule

Overview of the Policy Change

On June 23, 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, commonly referred to as the “roadless rule.” This rule currently prohibits road building and logging on nearly 59 million acres of the National Forest System across the United States, including critical areas such as Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.

Implications for National Forests and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The rescission of the roadless rule has significant implications for several Sustainable Development Goals:

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – The rule protects large tracts of forest that act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change. Removing protections may increase deforestation and carbon emissions.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land – The conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems is threatened by increased logging and road construction in previously protected areas.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Changes in timber harvest policies affect sustainable resource management practices.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The administration argues that rescinding the rule will boost economic opportunities through increased timber production and forest management jobs.

Details of the Roadless Rule and USDA Position

• The roadless rule currently protects 30% of the National Forest System from logging and new road construction.
• Inventoried roadless areas across the U.S., including Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, are safeguarded under this rule.
• The USDA states that rescinding the rule will facilitate wildfire management and timber harvests by allowing new road construction in these areas.

Political Context and Support

• The USDA announcement follows executive orders aimed at expanding American timber production and deregulating government policies to promote economic growth.
• Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that the change removes “absurd obstacles” to natural resource management, aiming to reduce devastating wildfires and preserve forests for future generations.
• Republican lawmakers, including Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, praised the decision as a “major victory” for responsible forest management and economic development, particularly in Alaska.

Environmental and Conservation Concerns

Environmental groups have strongly criticized the decision, highlighting the following concerns:

• Conservation Impact: Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited, described the roadless rule as one of the most significant conservation achievements in U.S. history and urged the USDA to maintain protections.
• Wildfire Risk: Conservation journalist Ben Goldfarb questioned the administration’s rationale that roads aid wildfire mitigation, noting that most wildfires occur near roads and that road construction may worsen fire risks.

Conclusion and Ongoing Coverage

The rescission of the roadless rule represents a critical juncture in balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, directly impacting multiple SDGs related to climate action, ecosystem preservation, and sustainable economic growth.

POWDER will continue to monitor and report on developments related to this policy change.

Related Information

• Utah Sen. Mike Lee Revises Bill In Favor of Public Lands
• Protections on 59 Million Acres of Forest Land Rescinded

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article discusses wildfire management and the impact of road building and logging on forest areas, which relates to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The focus on protecting or rescinding protections for roadless areas in national forests, including old growth forests like Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, directly relates to sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and combating desertification.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article mentions increasing domestic timber production and economic opportunities, particularly in Alaska, linking to sustainable economic growth and employment in natural resource sectors.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The discussion on timber harvests and resource management touches on sustainable use of natural resources.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries (wildfire management).
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests.
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
   • Implied measurement of wildfire frequency and severity in forest areas affected by road building and logging.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
   • Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management (e.g., area of forest under sustainable management practices).
   • Implied monitoring of roadless area protections and extent of logging and road construction in national forests.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
   • Implied indicators related to timber production volumes and economic opportunities generated.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
   • Implied indicators on sustainable timber harvest rates and resource use efficiency.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: yahoo.com