Forest Service chief faces scrutiny over logging ties as Trump plans to scrap protections
Rollback of ‘roadless rule’ expected to benefit companies US Forest Service chief, Tom Schultz, previously lobbied for
TL;DR
- Donald Trump's administration plans to rescind the 25-year-old Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
- The rule protects approximately 45 million acres of national forest from development.
- US Forest Service chief Tom Schultz previously worked as a timber industry lobbyist and executive.
- Industry groups and Republican representatives have long sought to rescind the rule.
- Critics fear the rollback will harm threatened and endangered species and imperil ecosystems.
- The Forest Service claims the move will restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk.
- Studies suggest wildfires are more likely to start near roads, contradicting the administration's rationale.
- The timber industry argues that roads are essential for wildfire response and active forest management.