Nick Smith

Montana’s national forests… face growing threats from wildfires, drought, and insect infestations. These are threats that are worsened, not reduced, by the outdated Roadless Rule. …While limited management activities are technically permitted under the rule, its sweeping prohibitions on road construction make it exceedingly difficult to implement large-scale forest restoration or wildfire mitigation projects. As a result, even science-based treatments like thinning or prescribed burning frequently face delays or cancellation. At the same time, nearly 300 to 370 million board feet of timber are currently tied up in litigation on Montana’s national forests. …These materials could otherwise help fund forest restoration, supply local mills, and reduce hazardous fuels, all while supporting jobs in rural communities. …After nearly 25 years, the evidence is clear: the Roadless Rule is not a conservation success story. It’s a barrier to active, science-based stewardship at a time when our forests are under unprecedented ecological stress.