Trump administration advances plan to open national forests to development

The Trump administration is moving to undo the "roadless rule," a 25-year-old policy that has kept road building and logging off nearly 45 million acres of national forest land. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the rule has left forests overgrown and more prone to severe wildfires, and that removing it will let states and local communities have more say over forest management. Montana's governor backed the move, saying it will help the state manage federal land more effectively.

This is not directly about home energy upgrades, but it matters if you live near or use national forest land, especially in the West or Alaska. More than 30 forest scientists have disputed the wildfire claim, pointing to data showing wildfire ignitions are actually lowest in roadless and wilderness areas, and highest near existing roads. Wildlife advocates warn that opening these areas to road construction could harm species like grizzly bears, elk, and trout, since roughly 57 percent of species of conservation concern rely on roadless habitat.

The public overwhelmingly opposed rescinding the rule during last fall's comment period, and national polling has also shown strong support for keeping it. Legal groups like Earthjustice say they'll challenge the change in court if it's finalized. The formal proposal, along with the Forest Service's environmental review, will be published in the Federal Register on August 20, and the public can submit comments through September 21.