Forest Service Moves to Rescind Roadless Rule
The U.S. Forest Service filed to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule in its entirety, a move opposed by conservation groups and North Carolina's governor.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in National Parks
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The U.S. Forest Service filed a proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule in its entirety, announced by Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins on Aug. 18. The rule protects more than 44 million acres of National Forest System lands from most new road construction, road reconstruction and timber harvesting.
Why it matters
Rescission would affect more than 172,000 acres of North Carolina forestland, including 20,743 acres in the Croatan National Forest. The Department of Agriculture argues the rule is a one-size-fits-all restriction that impedes land managers and wildfire risk reduction work.
The rule protects more than 44 million acres of National Forest System lands, and rescission would affect over 172,000 acres in North Carolina. The Forest Service must still review the roughly 1.6 million opposing responses before preparing its final environmental impact statement.
The players
U.S. Forest Service
The federal agency within the Department of Agriculture that manages the National Forest System and administers the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Brooke L. Rollins
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who announced the Forest Service's filing to rescind the Roadless Rule.
Josh Stein
The Governor of North Carolina who submitted official comments opposing the rescission of the Roadless Rule.
Sierra Club
A national environmental advocacy organization that opposes the rescission and mobilized rallies and public comments against it in North Carolina.
The details
The Forest Service's proposal would eliminate the 2001 rule in full, and the agency must consider public comments before finalizing any decision. Gov. Josh Stein submitted official comments opposing rescission on Oct. 6, the day the 2026 public comment period closed.
Timeline
2001: The Roadless Area Conservation Rule was enacted as federal conservation policy.
2025: The first public comment period received over 220,000 comment letters.
Aug. 18, 2026: Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced the Forest Service filing.
Oct. 6, 2026: The public comment period closed and Gov. Josh Stein submitted comments.
Legal Context
The filing seeks to undo the Roadless Area Conservation Rule enacted in 2001, which has protected roughly 44 million acres of national forest from most new road building and timber harvesting. Its rescission would mark the rule's first full reversal since it took effect.
Visitors to national forests in North Carolina, including the Croatan National Forest, could see changes to roads and trails if rescission proceeds. Travelers planning trips to protected backcountry areas should check current access conditions with the Forest Service before departing.
The takeaway
The rescission proposal puts the future of millions of protected forest acres in federal hands, and public input will shape the outcome. Readers who want to weigh in on decisions affecting national forests should follow the Forest Service's comment process closely.
What happens next
The Forest Service must review public comments and prepare a final environmental impact statement before deciding on the rescission.
Further reading
For more on protected federal lands, explore our National Parks coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Bern Sun Journal.
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