The U.S. Forest Service has extended the public comment period on its proposal to eliminate the Roadless Area Conservation Rule by 15 days, to Oct. 6.
The rule, established in 2001, prohibits road construction, road reconstruction and timber harvesting in nearly 45 million acres of national forestland. About 2 million acres are in Washington state, including Cutthroat Lake and Maple Pass on the North Cascades Highway corridor, and significant portions of the Sawtooth range.
The Trump administration has said it intends to repeal the rule as a way to reduce wildfire risk and boost timber production. Critics contend the elimination of the rule would harm endangered species, water quality and the tourism economy.
To get more information or submit a comment, go to fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless.
