USDA advances Roadless Rule repeal; advocates, lawmakers say it puts 400,000 acres in Va. at risk

By: Shannon Heckt

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: August 20, 2026

Words: 443

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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The United States Department of Agriculture is nearing a full repeal of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule that protects millions of acres of virgin forestland nationwide. In Virginia, if the rule is repealed it would open up an estimated 400,000 acres of forest, largely across the Shenandoah Valley region, to development.

The Trump Administration has touted the move as a way to expand wildfire management and economic development to public lands.

“We …

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