Congress·In Committee·S. 2042

Senate Bill Would Make National Forest Roadless Protections Permanent Law

Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025

4 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

Would put into law the current rules that limit new roads, rebuilt roads, and logging in certain “roadless” parts of national forests.
Keeps the same boundaries and limits used under the existing roadless rules, rather than creating a brand-new system of restrictions.
Aims to protect clean water sources, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation spots like hiking, hunting, and fishing areas.
Could reduce pressure to build and maintain more Forest Service roads by sticking with protections while the agency already has a large road upkeep backlog.
Does not add new limits on nearby state or private land outside these roadless areas, and notes hydropower projects can still be developed.

EnvironmentClimate ChangeAgricultureEnergy

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)

Federal Employee

Neutral

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions

Dec 2, 2025Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

Jun 11, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Jun 11, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

5 articles

Carolina Public Press·25 days ago

Roadless areas of national forests could go away under proposed rule change

Congressional Democrats have proposed the Roadless Area Conservation Act to cement the 2001 Roadless Rule in law as the USDA weighs rescinding protections. Critics argue the rule hinders wildfire management and restricts timber access, while supporters say it protects vital watersheds.

Living on Earth·7 months ago

Roadless Rule Under Fire

Public radio's environmental news magazine discusses the Trump administration's move to repeal the Roadless Rule. The segment highlights the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025, a bill seeking cosponsors to make the rule's protections for 45 million acres permanent.

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VTDigger·6 months ago

America’s roadless areas are under attack. Speak up now.

This commentary in a Vermont news outlet supports the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025. It argues the act is essential to stop administrative rollbacks that threaten one-fifth of the White and Green mountain national forests with logging and development.

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