The Roadless Rule: What It Could Mean for Trails We Maintain

 By Matt Waurio

PATC members spend much of our time where roads are deliberately limited. The ability for roads to be built in some of PATC’s region could change with the U.S. Forest Service’s proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule - a national rule that generally restricts road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in designated Roadless Areas on National Forest System lands. The Forest Service says rescinding the rule would return more decision-making to individual national forests and their land-management planning processes and the proposal doesn’t authorize any particular road, timber sale, or other project. So, future projects would still require additional planning and review.


That said, for us in PATC, this policy issue isn’t abstract or about public lands somewhere else. Changes will impact PATC, the lands we manage, and – more importantly – will eventually affect the places where people hike, camp, hunt, observe wildlife, and spend time outdoors. 


For example, the Northern Massanutten Roadless Area would be impacted, with its 60 miles of trails including the Massanutten Trail and the Tuscarora-Veach Gap Trail – most maintained or supported by PATC. The Big Schloss Roadless Area is another significant example within PATC territory. It's one of the larger roadless areas in the eastern national forests and one of the more rugged areas.


You can see for yourself via this NFS document and this interactive NFS map where the roadless areas are.


The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the proposed rule, its draft environmental impact statement, and its cost-benefit analysis. The comment period has been extended to October 6, 2026 and it is hoped that you will make an informed comment after reading the documentation on the webpage. How you submit (focus on policy impacts, academic studies) matters to NFS. 

So, what would actually change?


Rescinding the rule wouldn’t automatically put a road through the Tuscarora Trail or authorize a timber sale on Massanutten Mountain. Instead, the proposal would remove the national-level restrictions established by the 2001 Roadless Rule. 


The Forest Service says management of these areas would instead be guided by individual forest plans and other existing laws and requirements. While this may sound good on the surface, it could have negative policy implications because local forest departments may have less funding to do proper research and be more influenced by political swings. This could lead to less strategic guidance and an overall decline in local understanding of a forest’s role in the larger NFS ecosystem. 


When commenting, these kinds of policy changes matter. The Forest Service has specifically asked for comments on the proposed rule and its supporting environmental analysis, so comments may be most useful when they identify specific concerns, experiences, or information relevant to the proposal.


That said, if you use or maintain National Forest lands, your experience is relevant so please ensure that your voice is heard. Be specific and focus on what you know and what matters to you. A short comment describing an affected place you know well and explaining why it matters can provide more useful information than a form letter.


Examples:


  • What matters to you in your role as a maintainer, a hiker, a cabin renter, or a parent of children who use the land. 
  • How roadless conditions affect your experience hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, or observing wildlife. 
  • The importance of maintaining quiet, non-motorized recreation opportunities.

Remember that comments submitted to the federal docket are public. The Forest Service specifically advises commenters not to include confidential or sensitive personal information.


The Roadless Area Conservation Comment period closes October 6th. 


If you would like a copy of my comment, please email me at mwaurio@patc.net.


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