Recently I phoned Sixth District Congressman Ben Cline’s office regarding the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule for the national forests.
Mr. Cline’s email response stated falsely that the Roadless Rule “prohibits road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvest.”
The Pew Charitable Trust says: “the Roadless Rule allows roads to be constructed or repaired to protect public health and safety, and for accessing mineral or treaty rights.” Timber harvest and prescribed fire are permitted to reduce wildfire risk.
The national forests contain eight times the road mileage of the interstate highways. The Forest Service pays logging companies to build roads with our tax dollars. There is an $8.4 billion backlog of deferred maintenance – why build more roads?
Opponents of the Roadless Rule claim more roads are needed for wildfire suppression. But a scientific study by The Wilderness Society found that the incidence of wildfires along roads is more than four time that of wilderness areas.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump plans to trade land in Yosemite National Park with a development company – for building an unnecessary road.
The true motive for repealing the Roadless Rule is to transfer public assets to the private sector.
The public comment period for the rule change ends Sept. 21. Instructions for commenting are here: www.regulations.gov/document/FS-2025-0001-223869
It troubles me that so-called “conservatives” advocate policies that waste our natural resources.
If you are also troubled, submit your comments – and vote Democratic for wise stewardship of our public lands.
Let’s fire Lyin’ Ben Cline and hire Beth Macy!
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