Defend the Roadless Rule: Protect Your Local Backcountry Zones
Since 2001, over 50 million acres of multiple-use National Forest land have been protected from logging and development under the Roadless Rule. But now, these protections are in jeopardy.
On August 20, 2026, the USDA released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 2001 Roadless Rule.
The release of the DEIS represents a new step in the roadless rule decision and another opportunity for public comment. Now is your chance to weigh in on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which analyzes the environmental impacts of the proposed rescission.
→ How did we get here?
On June 23, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, announced that the Administration intends to rescind the Forest Service Roadless Rule. For more than two decades, this rule has shielded over 50 million acres of Forest Service land from new road construction, preventing most commercial logging and other development.
The current 2001 Roadless Rule protects nearly 45 million acres of backcountry National Forests across the country. These roadless areas support outdoor recreation, protect vital watersheds and wildlife habitat, and may be home to some of your favorite backcountry ski stashes.
The Roadless Rule has overwhelming public support. The 2001 Rule was developed with over 600 public hearings and more than 1.6 million comments, with over 95% supporting roadless protections. This support was echoed last fall with more than 600,000 comments submitted during the Roadless Rule scoping period, the majority (99%) of which opposed rescinding the Roadless Rule and supported keeping the 2001 Roadless Rule in place.
Take action below to oppose the rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule.
→ What Could We Lose? Why Roadless Areas Matter
Roadless areas play a critical role in protecting clean water supplies, preserving biodiversity, and providing backcountry recreation opportunities. Although road construction is prohibited, Forest Service thinning and other fuels reduction projects are allowed, as is grazing.
Roadless areas are also vital in our fight against catastrophic climate change. For example, roadless lands on the Tongass National Forest comprise one of the world’s largest carbon sinks. Roadless areas are multiple-use landscapes that support non-motorized and motorized (on trails and over snow) recreation, including many of the places where people backcountry ski.
According to maps from our partners at Outdoor Alliance, here’s what could lose protection: over 8,000 climbing routes, over 700 miles of whitewater paddling runs, and nearly 26,000 miles of trails that are open to activities like hiking, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking.
Note: Roadless areas in Colorado and Idaho are managed under state-specific Roadless Rules. These Rules are not implicated in this rollback, unless the states specifically request to be included.
