California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside a coalition of seven attorneys general, submitted a comment letter opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule), which would strip vital protections from approximately 44.7 million acres of national forest land. The landmark Roadless Rule prevents road construction and timber harvesting in the last unfragmented stretches of national forest land nationwide. In the comment letter, the coalition highlights how the Trump Administration’s proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule threatens some of our nation’s most pristine ecosystems, undermines climate resilience, and jeopardizes clean water and wildlife habitat – all for short-term economic gain.

“Make no mistake, this rescission rule is another blatant attempt by the Trump Administration to line their friends’ pockets by handing over our public forest lands to those who would exploit it for profit,” said Attorney General Bonta. “No matter how they spin it, the science and facts are clear. Roadbuilding increases fire risk and fragments forest ecosystems. These forests are home to critical wildlife habitat, clean water sources, and massive carbon sinks that play a vital role in stabilizing our climate. We must protect our public forest lands, and the administration must immediately reverse course.”