Trump administration moves to rescind rule that protects millions of forest acres

The Trump administration proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule to return decision-making to local forest managers, saying it will improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk.
Environmental groups say the opposite would happen—opening backcountry to roads and development increases ignitions; studies show wildfire density is lowest in protected wilderness and highest near roads.
The rule protects about 59 million acres (~30% of the National Forest System); the proposal arrives amid a severe fire season (roughly 7.3 million acres burned so far) and the USDA is taking public comments through Sept. 21.