USDA Eyes Roads in Roadless Forests: Tongass Timber Temptation?
Published Date: 8/29/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA is planning to change how it manages about 44.7 million acres of roadless National Forest lands by undoing the 2001 rule that mostly banned building roads and cutting trees there. This means local officials will get more say in decisions about roads and logging, especially in places like Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. The agency is asking for public comments soon, and these changes could affect forest use and local economies.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Rescinding Roadless Protections for 44.7M Acres
USDA proposes to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule for about 44.7 million acres of National Forest System lands. That rule currently prohibits road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas; rescinding it would return those decisions to local officials and forest-level planning.
Tongass National Forest Excluded From Roadless Rule
The proposed rule would expressly exclude the Tongass National Forest in Alaska from the 2001 Roadless Rule, per Executive Order 14153. That exclusion means the 2001 prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting would not apply to the Tongass.
Idaho and Colorado Roadless Rules Kept
State-specific roadless rules for Idaho and Colorado at 36 CFR 294 Subparts C and D will be retained and are excluded from this proposed change. That means the 2001 Roadless Rule rescission does not apply to those state-specific rules.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16965, Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation
The USDA wants to cancel the 2001 Roadless Rule that stopped road building and logging in special forest areas. This change gives local forest managers more freedom to decide how to care for these lands based on local needs. People have until September 21, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this could affect how forests are managed and how money is spent on these lands.
2026-20512, Purchaser Credit on Timber Sale Contracts
The Forest Service is cleaning up old rules about timber sale credits that ended back in 1999. This update removes outdated regulations that no longer apply, so the rules are clearer and simpler. If you’re involved in timber sales on National Forest lands, nothing changes for you now, but the new rule kicks in on November 5, 2026.
2026-18765, Mount Taylor Ranger District, Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands; New Mexico; Roca Honda Mine Project
The Forest Service is starting a review of the Roca Honda Mine Project, a plan to build and run an underground uranium mine in New Mexico’s Cibola National Forest and nearby lands. They want your thoughts by October 14, 2026, before deciding if the project can move forward. The full environmental report will be ready by January 2028, and this project could change how the forest is managed.
2026-18239, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
The Ouachita National Forest plans to start charging fees at some picnic and recreation spots to help keep them clean, safe, and fun. Groups using picnic sites like Cedar Lake will pay $50 a day, and reservations will cost an extra $8 online. These changes could start about six months after this notice, making your outdoor adventures even better!
2026-18240, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
The El Yunque National Forest is proposing to establish several recreation pass options and a special recreation permit. Proposed recreation fees collected for the proposed recreation passes and for the proposed special recreation permit would be used for operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sites and the special recreation use covered by the proposed special recreation permit. An analysis of nearby recreation fee sites and special recreation uses with similar amenities shows that the proposed recreation fees are reasonable and typical of similar recreation fee sites and special recreation uses in the area.
2026-18246, Proposed Recreation Fee Sites
The Ashley National Forest wants to start charging fees at two fun spots: Kaler Hollow Group Campground and Uinta Guard Station. Groups can expect to pay $50 or $70 per night, with fees helping improve the sites and services. If approved, these fees will kick in at least six months after this notice, and you can book your spot online or by phone with a small reservation fee.
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