Hands Off Public Lands: Parks Group Decries Proposed Rollback of Roadless Rule

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the next step in its reckless and unnecessary proposed elimination of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, (roadless rule) which would impact more than 45 million acres of national forestland. The rule was finalized in 2001 after years of tremendous public outreach and overwhelming support.

Rescinding the rule would literally pave a pathway towards increased oil and gas leasing, industrial logging, and other harmful development on public lands that provide clean water, wildlife habitat and protect the connected ecosystems of nearby national parks.

“Everyone who cares for America’s national parks and public lands should be deeply alarmed about attempts to dismantle the roadless rule,” said Beau Kiklis, Associate Director of Energy and Landscape Conservation for the National Parks Conservation Association. “This is nothing short of another brazen attempt to sell off America’s public lands, by opening up these forest lands for industrial logging, roadbuilding and other development.”

From the Appalachian Trail to Yosemite, the health of many of America’s national park sites rely on the ecosystems that surround them, including intact national forests.  NPCA analysis found that 17.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas are within 30 miles of national park lands and support the greater national park ecosystems.  

Additionally, national park gateway economies and recreation communities rely on mixed-use public lands. Roadless areas protect access and opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, and other forms of motorized and non-motorized recreation, along with grazing for ranchers.

The 21-day public comment period opens on Friday, August 29.

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org