White House's decison to scrap the 'Roadless Rule' criticized by Patagonia, encouraging public to express opinions on the matter.
The Trump administration's proposal to overturn the Roadless Rule, affecting 45 million acres of public lands, has sparked a wave of opposition from the outdoor community. The Roadless Rule, implemented in 2001, restricts new roads, timber harvest, and development across 58.5 million acres in 37 states.
The administration claims that rescinding the Roadless Rule will help address wildfires and encourage responsible forest management. However, critics argue that it is a means for the Trump administration to extract resources, specifically minerals, from public lands. Patagonia's CEO, Ryan Gellert, voiced opposition to the proposed change in a Time magazine column.
The outdoor community, including Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and The Outdoor Alliance (OA), are also opposing the White House's plan. Climbing legend Tommy Caldwell has asked his supporters to protest the White House's plan, detailing how some of the public lands near his home in Estes Park, Colo., would be threatened.
Snowboarding icons Jeremy Jones and Nick Russell have also made social media posts asking their followers to leave a comment opposing the rescission of so many acres of public land. The comment period for the proposed change ends this Friday, Sept. 19.
The OA has an online tool for supporters to leave comments, which OA will add to the official public comments on the White House plan. The public can also send their comments directly to the government through Regulations.gov. An interactive map showcasing the public lands under threat has been made available by the alliance.
Besides Patagonia, environmental organizations such as Pro Natura and other environmental groups have expressed outrage against the Trump administration's plan to lift the Roadless Rule and allow logging in protected forests like the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.
Jeremy Jones wrote on Instagram, "We have fought this off before and we can do it again if everyone makes their voices heard. Public comment is open until September 19th." It's a call to action for all who value the outdoors and the public lands that provide a wealth of recreational opportunities, from climbing routes and bouldering problems, 8,659 in total, to whitewater paddling runs spanning 768 miles, and trails covering 25,121 miles.
Join the voices of the outdoor community and make your opinion heard. The future of our public lands is at stake.
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