Roadless national forest lands like the Badger-Two Medicine and northern Swan Range are under assault. The Forest Service plans to eliminate the 2001 Roadless Rule, a highly effective conservation policy, that limits roadbuilding and commercial logging on 45 million acres of intact national forest lands across the country, including more than 6 million acres here in Montana. We need your help to stop this destructive giveaway to private industry. 

For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has helped keep our national forests wild and intact, provided vital habitat and migratory corridors for wildlife, maintained intact watersheds that provide clean drinking water to communities across the country, including Essex, supported Tribal treaty rights and cultural resource protection, and created opportunities for quiet, backcountry recreation.  At the same time, the Rule provides the Forest Service with  flexibility to address wildfire, insects and disease, or restore fish and wildlife habitat. 

What’s at Stake

Make no mistake, this proposal is not about better forest management or community wildfire protection. Rather it is all about giving away some of our last, intact wild forests to logging, mining, and oil and gas companies to exploit for private profit. 

The repeal of the Rule could lead to damaging new road building, logging, mining or industrial development. Ironically, the repeal would likely increase the risk of wildfire to our communities as wildfires are four times more likely to start in roaded areas than roadless ones. Other consequences include loss of habitat and habitat security for elk, mule deer, grizzly bears and other species, reduced water quality, greater spread of invasive species, lost opportunity for quiet backcountry recreation, including hunting, fishing or hiking, and loss of revenue for outfitters and other outdoor businesses. Healthy intact forests, wildlife, and our communities, benefit greatly from the Roadless Rule. Please comment in favor of keeping the existing rule by October 6th.