CRC Opposing Rescission of Federal Roadless Rule to Protect the Green and White National Forests
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) has joined a national coalition of 208 nonprofits, businesses, and environmental groups opposing proposed changes to the Federal Roadless Conservation Area Rule. This contributes to approximately 1.2 million comments submitted to the Forest Service overall regarding this policy in 2026, an overwhelming 99% of which support keeping the current policy in place. This U.S. Forest Service policy enacted in 2001 prohibits road construction, road reconstruction, and most timber harvesting across approximately 58.5 million acres of undeveloped National Forest System lands.
In August 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) formally published a proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule nationwide, which was followed by a public comment period in September/early October 2026.
Within the Connecticut River watershed, the White Mountain and Green Mountain National Forests are integral to the health of this region. Their forests, wetlands, headwater streams, and roadless areas provide critical ecological functions that extend far beyond the boundaries of the National Forests themselves. These lands protect headwaters, regulate water temperatures and flows, retain sediment and nutrients, support wildlife habitat, enhance biodiversity, bolster the outdoor recreation and tourism economy, and provide clean water to communities throughout New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and beyond.
For these reasons, CRC has urged the U.S. Forest Service to retain the 2001 Roadless Rule and select Alternative 1 - No Action, in the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
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