The USDA has announced plans to rescind the Roadless Rule, stripping protections from nearly 45 million acres of backcountry National Forests. This rollback threatens some of the last intact landscapes in the United States—places that provide solitude, clean water, abundant wildlife, and opportunities for adventure.
What’s at Stake
If the Roadless Rule is rescinded, protections would be lost for:
- 25,121 miles of trails
- 8,659 climbing routes
- 768 miles of whitewater
- 10,794 miles of mountain biking
These forests are not just recreational playgrounds. They provide clean air and water, store carbon that helps fight climate change, and sustain rural economies built on recreation and tourism.
Why This Matters
Backcountry forests are among the last places where we can experience true quiet and remoteness. Rolling back protections opens the door to:
- New roads and industrial logging that fragment habitat and scar landscapes.
- Erosion and water pollution pose a threat to fish, wildlife, and downstream communities.
- Declining outdoor experiences for hikers, anglers, hunters, paddlers, climbers, and photographers who rely on intact wild places.
- Short-term corporate profits largely leave the region, while local communities lose long-term, sustainable income from recreation and tourism.
The numbers are clear: outdoor recreation generates tens of billions of dollars annually and supports millions of American jobs. Undermining this economy for temporary extraction is a poor trade.
How You Can Help
Update: The public comment period for this proposal closed on September 19, 2025.
Thank you to everyone who submitted comments in support of protecting America’s backcountry. Public participation plays an important role in decisions that affect our forests and wildlife.
I will continue to follow this issue and share updates if new opportunities arise.
A Shared Legacy Worth Defending
Our backcountry forests are part of America’s collective heritage. They safeguard our water, support wildlife, and inspire generations. Once roads and development move in, the wild character of these places can never truly be restored.
Now is the time to stand together. Let’s protect these forests—for ourselves, for future generations, and for the enduring beauty of America’s public lands.
Further Explorations:
Why Our Best Public Lands for Hunting and Fishing Are At Risk—Again
How to comment on the planned roadless rule rollback
Why rescinding the Roadless Rule is a problem for trout and salmon
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Condemns Effort to Roll Back Public Lands Rule
