Trump Pushes to Repeal Roadless Rule, Endangering East Coast Forests

Washington’s push to dismantle the roadless rule could open the last untouched woodlands of the Atlantic seaboard to commercial harvest. The Trump administration argues that loosening the rule will spur job growth, yet analysts warn that the move threatens over ↓ 30% of remaining old‑growth canopy in states such as Maine and New Hampshire.

roadless rule repeal sparks East Coast logging debate

Environmental groups, citing a Reuters analysis, say the policy reversal would fragment habitats and accelerate carbon release. Critics contend that the administration’s narrative of economic revival masks a long‑term loss of ecosystem services.

“We are watching a historic forest corridor disappear before our eyes,” a spokesperson for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy told AP News.

The White House’s proposal also loosens restrictions on surface mining, raising alarms about water quality in the region’s watersheds. While the administration touts potential millions of jobs, the projected timber harvest could exceed ↓ 15 million board feet annually, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Lawmakers on both coasts face mounting pressure to either defend the remaining roadless lands or concede to the industry’s demands.

Reported by Eleanor Cross (Chief Washington Correspondent).