MAINE MORNING STAR • September 10, 2025
If you have enjoyed a hike to a summit in the Green or White Mountains, there’s a good chance that a U.S. Forest Service “Inventoried Roadless Area” is to thank. But on Aug. 29, the Trump administration put New England’s irreplaceable roadless areas in its crosshairs for logging and development by announcing its intent to rescind the “Roadless Rule.” More than one-fifth of the White and Green Mountain National Forests are at risk. America can’t afford to lose its roadless areas. For an administration that has made big claims about improving government efficiency, rescinding the Roadless Rule may be among its most foolish stunts yet. The Forest Service has a $10.8 billion road maintenance backlog on its 370,000-mile road network. Only 3.3% of New England is protected from timber harvest and road construction, but scientists broadly agree we must protect at least 10% of the region for the benefit of biodiversity, the climate, and the well-being of our communities. Rescinding the Roadless Rule would set our region back, making our conservation goals harder to achieve than ever. ~ Zack Porter, Standing Trees