Why Trump’s plan to rescind the Roadless Rule protecting national forests will struggle in court

The courts have rejected similar arguments before. Meanwhile, maintenance costs are rising, and the Forest Service’s own data contradicts the administration’s wildfire claims.

By: Patrick Parenteau, Vermont Law & Graduate School, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 26, 2026

Words: 1,402

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Patrick Parenteau, Vermont Law & Graduate School

Over 368,000 miles of roads wind through U.S. national forests, eight times more than the entire interstate highway system. Many are heavily eroded and prone to landslides, and driving vehicles on them can spread invasive species. They need billions of dollars in repairs.

Yet the Trump administration wants to build more roads in America’s national forests to expand timber production, specifically in untouched areas currently protected by …

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