BlueRibbon Coalition supports H.R. 7695 legislation introduced to repeal the outdated 2001 Roadless Rule and restore multiple use management across National Forest System lands. BRC also supports S. 140, the Wildfire Reduction Act introduced by Senator Barrasso which would nullify the Roadless Rule and seeks to accelerate forest management on federal lands by increasing fuels reduction treatments, expanding streamlined environmental review authorities, supporting timber harvest and grazing as wildfire mitigation tools, and promoting new wildfire technologies.
The Roadless Rule was first adopted in the final days of the Clinton Administration in 2001, placing approximately 58.5 million acres of National Forest System lands under sweeping restrictions on road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvesting. Supporters argued the rule was necessary to protect undeveloped forest areas and preserve wilderness characteristics, while critics warned it ignored local input and created major challenges for recreation access, forest management, wildfire mitigation, and rural economies. Since its adoption, the rule has faced decades of legal and political battles, including multiple lawsuits, state specific exemptions, administrative revisions, and ongoing congressional efforts to repeal or modify it. Over time, concerns have grown as catastrophic wildfires, declining forest health, and shrinking public access have intensified across the West.
The Roadless Rule has often prevented land managers from using common sense tools needed to actively manage forests and maintain reasonable public access. It has also limited the ability to conduct forest restoration projects, wildfire mitigation efforts, watershed improvements, and infrastructure maintenance in many areas already facing severe wildfire risk.
Millions of acres currently covered by the Roadless Rule are classified as high or very high wildfire risk. Preventing responsible management access in these areas does not protect forests. In many cases, it leaves them more vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire, insect infestations, and long term ecosystem damage.
H.R. 7695 and S. 140 would both repeal the rule and prevent any future rule that is substantially similar. If passed, this bill will restore flexibility for local forest managers to make decisions based on local conditions rather than blanket national restrictions. Repealing the Roadless Rule does not eliminate conservation protections or wilderness areas. America’s public lands are vast enough to support all forms of recreation and priorities. There is room for backcountry experiences, maintained roads, active forest management, recreation opportunities, and healthy working landscapes all at the same time.
Public lands should not become accessible only to those physically capable of hiking deep into remote terrain. Families with children, elderly Americans, disabled recreationists, hunters, anglers, overlanders, OHV enthusiasts, and rural residents all deserve reasonable opportunities to experience and enjoy the lands they help fund and steward.
For decades, BRC has fought to preserve access and promote responsible recreation on public lands. H.R. 7695 and S. 140 represent important steps toward restoring balanced land management policies that recognize recreation access, forest health, and conservation can coexist.
We encourage public land users, recreation advocates, and rural communities to contact their members of Congress and ask them to support H.R. 7695 and S. 140. You can read our deep dive report on the Roadless Rule here.
