OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing the Trump Administration’s proposed rule to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The formal opposition targets a federal proposal that, if adopted, would open nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands to road construction, timber harvesting, mining, and oil and gas development.

The coalition includes representatives from Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. These state officials joined California in challenging the regulatory changes that would specifically impact 4.4 million acres of National Forests in California through potential new roadbuilding, road reconstruction, logging, mining, and oil and gas development.

The proposed changes would affect sensitive waterways, recreational areas, and wildlife habitat in all 20 National Forests in California with significant roadless areas. The legal challenge centers on assertions that the proposed rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the National Forest Management Act.

The coalition asserts the proposed rule is contrary to the National Forest Management Act of 1976 and the Administrative Procedure Act because it would change land and resource management plans within each National Forest without undergoing the required plan amendment or revision process. Officials also argue the proposal is arbitrary and capricious because the agency fails to justify its change in policy and does not provide a reasoned basis for rescinding the prohibitions of road construction and reconstruction.

The coalition further contends the agency fails to make the necessary connection between the rescission of the Roadless Rule and the need for increased wildfire management. Additionally, the group asserts the proposed rule fails to address legitimate reliance interests in the Roadless Rule, as states rely on the rule to provide clean affordable water, protect aquatic life, promote recreation, and meet conservation and climate goals.

The coalition asserts the draft Environmental Impact Statement from the agency does not comply with the National Environmental Policy Act or the Administrative Procedure Act because the agency’s statement of purpose and need is unreasonably narrow. "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.

He said California greatly cares about protecting the state's forests and ensuring they are preserved for future generations. He added that the administration should abandon its course of action.

"Time and time again, the Trump Administration has demonstrated a willingness to devastate our environment and public lands for the sake of short-term economic gain," he said. "But the evidence is clear: roadbuilding and logging increase risks of wildfire, destroy habitat, and disrupt clean water resources."

California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot supported the legal effort, noting the long-standing nature of the protections at stake. "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," Crowfoot said. "This reckless proposal threatens millions of acres of our public lands." "Repealing it would put those protections at risk when we need them most," Wade Crowfoot said.

Why It Matters

The proposed rescission would open nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands to road construction, timber harvesting, mining, and oil and gas development. In California alone, the rule change affects 4.4 million acres across 20 National Forests, impacting sensitive waterways, recreational areas, and wildlife habitat. States argue they rely on the existing rule to provide clean affordable water, protect aquatic life, and meet conservation and climate goals.