Federal administration is pushing for expedited repeal of certain forest regulations within national forests
In a move that has sparked controversy, President Trump has proposed to rescind the Roadless Rule, a policy enacted in 2001 that bans most new road building and logging on 58 million acres of Western forests. The deadline for public comment on this proposed change is today.
The Roadless Rule, if reversed, would be overturned after a full environmental study by the Trump administration. The argument for rescinding the Rule is that it will help western timber towns prosper and better protect them from wildfires. Corey Bingaman, from the American Forest Resource Council, believes that repealing the Rule would give the Forest Service more flexibility to build fuel breaks and do some thinning.
However, environmentalists such as Chandra LeGue of Oregon Wild argue that opening these lands back up is a potential free-for-all for loggers. They believe that the last remnants of wild, unlogged forests are valuable for many reasons and should be protected as a legacy for future generations.
The Trump administration's actions are seen as potentially beneficial to the lumber industry, as any increase in supply could help improve their margins. Sean Smith, CEO of Starfire lumber in Cottage Grove, Oregon, is grateful for the new administration's efforts to change the course regarding the Roadless Rule.
The Forest Service may not have the resources to build new roads or keep pace with current timber harvest targets in forests with existing roads, even if the Roadless Rule is reversed. The report does not mention any specific changes that might occur if the Rule is reversed, beyond the potential increase in timber harvesting.
It's important to note that the initial public comment deadline does not guarantee the immediate reversal of the Roadless Rule. The Trump administration will still be required by federal law to conduct a full environmental study before actually overturning the Rule.
The Roadless Rule has been a contentious issue since its inception, with conservationists hailing it as a victory for forest preservation, while the industry has despised it. The new administration's actions are a continuation of this ongoing debate.
Kirk Siegler reported this story from Eugene, Oregon, for NPR News. The search results do not provide information about which environmental organization opposed the repeal of the Roadless Rule on U.S. National Forests by President Trump. The public comment process is an important step in the decision-making process, and all voices are encouraged to share their thoughts and concerns.
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