The federal government has launched another attack on our public lands by beginning the process of rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule. This rule has safeguarded some of America’s last remaining wild and intact forests and ecosystems. These protected areas offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and provide essential wildlife habitat. 

The proposed rollback of the Roadless Rule jeopardizes nearly 45 million acres of undeveloped backcountry forestland managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), representing a third of the territory in our national forest system. These forests have only remained intact because of USFS’s nearly 25-year-old commitment to not build roads in these areas for harmful activities like major logging operations or drilling.

The Roadless Rule protects 2 million acres of wild forests here in Washington State meaning that many of our beloved public lands are under threat. Places like the popular climbing routes of Liberty Bell, Lena Lake on the Olympic Peninsula, the Kettle Crest in eastern Washington, popular larch viewing areas like Maple Pass and Blue Lake, and the remote backcountry trails of the Dark Divide.

The comment period closes on September 21st. Act now!