Kathmandu— The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a measure protecting approximately 45 million acres (18 million hectares) of national forest from road construction and logging. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the proposal on Tuesday, arguing it will allow local forest managers to better mitigate wildfire risk by restoring control over land management practices. The move has drawn criticism from environmental groups who fear increased development and a higher risk of wildfires, while proponents claim it will improve forest health and firefighter access.

Rationale for Rescission

The USDA asserts that the 2001 rule has hindered effective forest management and contributed to increasing wildfire risks. Secretary Rollins stated that “outdated restrictions have kept tens of millions of forested acres off-limits to the very treatments that improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk to our communities.” The administration and Republican lawmakers contend that building roads in these areas would provide crucial access for firefighters battling wildfires, enabling quicker response times and more effective containment efforts.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte echoed this sentiment, stating that the rule has hindered his state’s ability to manage wildfire risks and develop necessary infrastructure on nearly 60 percent of Forest Service land. The USDA clarified it is not mandating timber cutting or road construction but rather seeking to remove restrictions that limit proactive forest management.

Existing Infrastructure and Wildfire Data

Despite being referred to as “roadless”, the National Forest Service data reveals a significant existing network of roads within these areas. Approximately half of the affected lands are located within one mile of a road, with 31 percent situated within just 0.5 miles. This suggests that access is already available in many parts of the protected forests.

The proposal comes as the US experiences a severe wildfire season, with approximately 7.3 million acres (3 million hectares) burned across nearly 49,000 fires as of August 17, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The majority of the areas affected by the proposed rule change are located in ten states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental groups strongly oppose the rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, arguing it will exacerbate wildfire risks and harm vulnerable wildlife. Research from The Wilderness Society indicates that fires are four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless forests.

Taylor McKinnon, southwest director of the Center for Biological Diversity, emphasized the importance of these areas as habitat for iconic species such as jaguars, Mexican spotted owls, and ocelots, warning that road construction will introduce human-caused disturbances and increase wildfire vulnerability.

The public comment period for the proposed rule change is open until September 21, after which the USDA will review feedback before making a final decision on whether to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.