Sacramento, California – A federal proposal could change the future of nearly 45 million acres of America’s national forests, potentially opening previously protected landscapes to road construction, logging, mining and energy development.
California has a particularly large stake in the decision. About 4.4 million acres of national forest land across the state could be affected, prompting Attorney General Rob Bonta to join a major legal challenge against the proposed changes.
Bonta co-led a coalition of 17 state attorneys general in submitting a formal comment letter opposing the Trump administration’s plan to eliminate the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
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The regulation has served as a central protection for undeveloped national forest lands for 25 years. It generally prohibits new road construction, road reconstruction and commercial logging in designated roadless areas, helping preserve wildlife habitats, watersheds and recreational spaces.
The U.S. Forest Service announced plans to repeal the rule in June 2025, following President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for expanded domestic timber production.
The proposed repeal would affect protected areas in all 20 California national forests containing significant roadless lands.
Bonta argues that the federal government is moving toward a major environmental policy change without adequately explaining its reasoning or considering the consequences.
“Our Golden State is home to some of the most pristine and diverse ecosystems in the nation. We will not stand by and allow the federal government to subject our National Forests to commercial exploitation,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.
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California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot also criticized the proposal, emphasizing the importance of the existing protections.
“For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has helped protect California’s clean water, wildlife habitat, recreational backcountry, and some of our most treasured public lands. Repealing it would put those protections at risk when we need them most.”
Beyond environmental concerns, the coalition raises several legal objections.
The attorneys general contend that the proposal violates federal laws governing forest management, administrative procedures and environmental reviews.
They argue that the Forest Service has failed to sufficiently justify abandoning its previous policy, assess potential environmental and economic damage, or consider reasonable alternatives.
The coalition also disputes the administration’s connection between removing roadless protections and improving wildfire management.
Bonta joined Washington Attorney General Nicholas Brown and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield in leading the effort, supported by attorneys general from 14 additional states.
Together, they are urging federal officials to withdraw the proposal and retain the protections that have shaped national forest conservation since 2001.