Rescinding Roadless Rule “A Major Blow” to Clean Water Protection

Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a disappointing development for clean water protections, the Trump administration announced it would be rescinding the Roadless Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule protected a key source of clean drinking water — our pristine national forest lands — by preventing road construction and timber harvesting on 58.5 million acres.   

“This is a major blow to our nation’s efforts to protect our most important source of clean drinking water, and conservation efforts nationwide,” said Leda Huta, vice president of government relations for American Rivers. “Protecting public lands is an efficient way to protect a significant portion of our nation’s finite water supply. Overturning this rule flies in the face of good stewardship of our outdoor heritage and natural resources.” 

National Forests capture and filter drinking water for 180 million people in 68,000 communities across the country. They are the largest source of municipal water supply, and cities like Los Angeles, Portland, Denver, and Atlanta get a large portion of their water supply from them.  

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American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 3.5 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org