Two million acres of Washington’s national forest roadless lands could be opened to logging, mining, oil/gas development, and new road construction if federal protections under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule are eliminated. That would include treasured areas in the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan-Wenatchee, Olympic, Gifford Pinchot, Colville and Umatilla National Forests – places many of us know and love for hiking, camping, skiing, fishing, hunting, boating, wildlife watching, and simply experiencing wild forests without roads and clearcuts. These lands also protect clean drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and Tribal treaty rights and cultural resources.
The Roadless Rule has survived more than 25 years of challenges, backed by strong public support. Now it is again at risk. The US Forest Service is accepting public comments on its proposal to repeal the rule with comments due October 6th. Add your name to National Audubon’s letter:
https://act.audubon.org/a/save-roadless-areas-2026
Learn more here: https://www.audubon.org/news/protecting-roadless-rule-safeguards-more-just-forests?
Thank you for standing up for our wild landscapes!
Photo by Rachel Holland
