The Trump administration is proposing to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a move that could change protections for thousands of acres in the Shawnee National Forest.
The existing rule generally prohibits road construction and reconstruction in designated inventoried roadless areas. Forest Service records show the Shawnee contains roughly 10,000 acres covered by the Roadless Rule.
Supporters of maintaining the rule argue roadless areas protect wildlife habitat, water quality and undeveloped forest. Environmental groups have strongly opposed eliminating the protections.
The Forest Service has argued that changing roadless restrictions could provide land managers greater flexibility for forest management, including projects intended to improve forest health and address wildfire risks.
The proposal is also part of the administration’s broader effort to increase timber production from federal lands.
The issue has drawn opposition in Congress, including from members of Illinois’ delegation.
If the Roadless Rule is rescinded, that would not necessarily mean immediate logging or road construction throughout affected portions of the Shawnee. Individual projects could still be subject to other federal laws, regulations and forest-management requirements. The Shawnee’s existing forest plan also contains separate management provisions for areas including Ripple Hollow and Burke Branch.
The Forest Service is accepting public input before making a final decision on the proposed rule change. Comments can be submitted through the federal government’s website at: regulations.gov.