Stop the Rollback of America’s Roadless Area Conservation Rule
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026
Contact: Emilie Ritter | eritter@greateryellowstone.org
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule has protected 10 million acres of the wildest, most pristine public land in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for a generation, and now it’s on the chopping block. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today it has taken the next step to dismantle the rule, putting at risk community drinking water, wildlife habitat, and wildfire prevention measures.
“Our public lands are being threatened like never before,” said Greater Yellowstone Coalition Executive Director Scott Christensen. “The Roadless Rule has proven over the last 25 years that it’s a common sense, broadly supported measure to protect some of the last truly wild places in Greater Yellowstone and across the West. The Forest Service already has tens of thousands of road miles it can’t maintain. Rescinding the roadless rule will only amplify that problem, while opening up the country’s most important wildlife habitat and backcountry recreation areas to development.”
A resounding 76 percent of American voters support the rule, according to a survey by Pew. It’s no surprise that the rule has such broad support. The Roadless Rule is critical for maintaining clean drinking water. Our National Forests are the largest source of drinking water in the country, serving more than 60 million people in 33 states.
These public lands are also key habitat for elk, birds, fish, grizzly bears, and wolves. In fact, In Montana, 93 percent of roadless areas provide summer range for elk. In Wyoming, 70 percent of roadless areas are elk range most of the year.
Plus, more roads in backcountry forests means more wildfires. More than 90 percent of all wildfires in the country start within half a mile of a road. The U.S. Forest Service already has a 380,000-mile road system, that’s twice as long as the nation’s highway system. This forest road infrastructure is so expansive that the Forest Service can’t afford to properly maintain it, causing a $10.8 billion maintenance backlog in needed repairs.
“Roadless areas power the recreation economy of the West,” said GYC Director of Conservation Kathy Rinaldi. “Outdoor recreation like hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching pumps $1.3 trillion into American communities. The flexibility of the Roadless Rule means it’s built for local decision making. Tossing out a proven public land protection is shortsighted and dangerous for the future of Western economies.”
The USDA will open a very short comment window this week. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is collecting comments in support of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule during the 30-day comment period. Make your voice heard at greateryellowstone.org/roadless-rule or join us at an upcoming postcard writing event in Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming.
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