The Trump Administration’s expected repeal of the “Roadless Rule” could impact drinking water supply for an estimated 25 million Americans, according to a new study out today in the journal PLOS Water. In June 2025, the Trump Administration announced that it planned to roll back the “Roadless Rule,” that prohibits roadbuilding and logging on nearly 60 million acres of federal forests. The aim of Trump’s repeal is to increase logging and encourage roadbuilding. The administration also claims that encouraging logging and construction will help address wildfire risks… The U.S. Department of Agriculture began the process to repeal the Roadless Rule last August. A final decision is expected in late 2026. …In the new study published today, a team of researchers studied 2,488 protected roadless areas to determine how they contribute to river protection, how many people rely on them for drinking water, and the roles they play in hunting, fishing, and supporting aquatic biodiversity.