Roadless Rule Repeal Draws 625K Public Comments

Hopefully you got your comment in before the clock struck 11:59 pm. The initial public comment period for the Trump administration’s plan to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule officially closed on September 19, 2025.

The Federal Register is currently showing 625,737 total comments received. This is a big number for an initial public comment period — especially considering the short 21-day window. The norm for a rule of this magnitude is 60 days.

Conversely, the adoption of the Roadless Rule in 2001 was a 15-month process with 600 community meetings and 1.6 million total comments received – a record for the US Forest Service. In the current process, the administration is clearly trying to limit public input. Nevertheless, with one more required public comment period to come, the total comments could surpass the 2001 figure.

People are clearly concerned about the administration’s plans. Rescinding the rule could open 58.5 million acres of national forest to new roadbuilding, logging, and mining.
A wide range of stakeholders have lined up in opposition. Conservation nonprofits, hunting groups, local municipalities, and Native American tribes have all spoken out against rescinding the Roadless Rule.

A comment-analysis by Center for Western Priorities found over 99% of early commenters opposed the repeal of the Roadless Rule.

Next, the Department of Agriculture will review comments and prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and proposed rule, expected in early 2026. This will trigger a 2nd public comment period before USDA finalizes its analysis.

A final EIS and Record of Decision is projected for release in late 2026, when the administration will decide whether to fully rescind the Roadless Rule or adopt a modified approach. We will keep you posted.