To provide that the final rule titled "Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation" and issued on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244) shall have no force or effect and require the Secretary of Agriculture to construct certain roads on National Forest System lands, and for other purposes.
Rep. Hageman Pushes to End Protections for Roadless Forest Areas and Build New Access Roads
Legislative Progress
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Many roadless areas in National Forests contain culturally significant sites, traditional hunting and gathering areas, and sacred lands for tribal communities. Opening these areas to road construction could disrupt or damage irreplaceable cultural resources and diminish the wilderness character that supports traditional practices. While environmental reviews are still required, the loss of blanket roadless protections removes a key safeguard for these lands.
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articles
Roadless areas of national forests could go away under proposed rule change
The USDA is weighing rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, potentially opening tens of thousands of acres in North Carolina to road development. Supporters argue it allows flexibility for wildfire mitigation, while critics say it threatens water quality and the outdoor recreation economy.
Rescinding 'Roadless Rule' threatens Oregon's public lands
A proposal to rescind the 2001 law protecting 58.5 million acres of public land faces intense opposition in Oregon. Critics highlight that 99% of public comments favored keeping the rule, which protects critical watersheds and recreation areas from logging and mining.
Keep 'roadless rule' in place, say former Forest Service officials
Former U.S. Forest Service employees argue that the Roadless Rule is flexible enough to allow for wildfire mitigation without permanent road construction. They warn that repealing the rule would increase maintenance backlogs and harm wildlife habitats like those of the bull trout and elk.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
To provide that the final rule titled "Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation" and issued on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244) shall have no force or effect and require the Secretary of Agriculture to construct certain roads on National Forest System lands, and for other purposes.
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