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The administration announced a plan to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule to boost economic development and forest productivity.

The administration announced a plan to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which currently prohibits road construction and commercial logging on nearly 59 million acres of national forest land. By rolling back this rule, the administration argued that it will remove restrictions on economic development and provide forest managers with greater flexibility to manage land for the next generation. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the move is necessary to return forests to health and productivity, noting that overgrown stands and insect outbreaks have turned healthy landscapes into tinderboxes. While the administration highlighted the benefits of road access for fire crews and economic growth, some critics argued that the rule provided vital habitat for wildlife and protected watersheds for 47 million Americans. Supporters of the rollback, including Republican governors from Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, praised the move for restoring flexibility to land management. Conversely, the administration noted that while roads can provide access, they can also lead to habitat fragmentation and increased fire risks from human activity.

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