09.22.25

Huffman Calls on Admin to Protect Roadless Rule, Allow for Adequate Community Input

Washington, D.C. – Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to oppose repealing the Roadless Rule and object to the mere 21-day public comment period for the upcoming decision.

This truncated comment period is the latest in the Trump administration’s pattern of silencing public input on decisions that impact America’s public lands and the communities that surround them.

“I write to voice my strong opposition to its repeal, as increased logging and development of these areas jeopardize abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, clean drinking water for millions of Americans, and essential habitat for a wide range of wildlife.”

Huffman criticized the Trump administration’s rushed process, noting USDA allowed only “21 days for public comment,” compared to the 30–90 days typical for major rulemaking. The original 2001 rule drew 1.6 million comments, over 95% of which supported protections for our nation’s public lands.

Using examples from Northern California, Huffman painted a picture of the damage this decision would create for small, rural economies: “[R]escinding the Roadless Rule would remove critical environmental protection for hundreds of thousands of acres in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the Mendocino National Forest, and the Six Rivers National Forest. Logging and development in these areas threaten the clean water and recreational opportunities that drive rural economies and sustain healthy communities in my district.” In the Six Rivers National Forest alone, the 150,000 protected acres provide 1.4 trillion gallons of clean water, valued at $428 million. These pristine forests attract over 165,000 visitors annually, who bring in about $7.8 million to local economies – all of which would be at risk without the Roadless Rule.

“Repealing the Rule would be a profound mistake, locking in a future of increasingly severe wildfires, fiscal irresponsibility, and water scarcity. I urge you to abandon this reckless course and uphold the Roadless Rule’s protections.”

Huffman also urged the administration to extend the comment period to a full 45 days for public comment and 120 days for Tribal consultation.

Read the full letter here.

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