Comment Period Extended for Proposed Rescission of Roadless Rule

Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo, CA, September 30, 2026 —

The public comment period for the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule has been extended, now allowing input until October 6. This rule, which currently safeguards national forest lands by restricting logging and road construction, is facing potential repeal.

Environmental advocates have voiced concerns that rescinding the Roadless Rule could lead to increased wildfire risk and ecological damage. In contrast, the administration asserts that the repeal is intended to aid in wildfire prevention efforts.

Specifically, the Los Padres National Forest region is identified as potentially vulnerable, with approximately 635,000 acres at risk. In response to these concerns, a bipartisan coalition of local congressional representatives has formally urged the administration to pause the repeal process. The coalition is also calling for more comprehensive public input before any final decisions are made.

The Roadless Rule, established to protect inventoried roadless areas in national forests, has been a subject of debate for years. Its proposed rescission has drawn attention from various stakeholders, including conservation groups, industry representatives, and local communities.

The extended comment period aims to gather a wider range of perspectives on the potential impacts of removing these protections. The final decision on the proposed rescission will follow the conclusion of this public input phase.

Story summarized from the original created by Callie Fausey on www.independent.com, see more information here.