This story has been updated with the extension date for the public comment deadline of Oct. 6. – Ed.
Public lands advocates in Jackson aren’t ready to say goodbye to the “Roadless Rule” without a fight. The clock is ticking down on a public comment period that garnered flak from conservation groups for a shorter window than past agency changes.
For 25 years, the Clinton-era protection has blocked road building or logging on about 45 million acres of forest land across the country. After announcing its intent to eliminate the rule in 2025, the Trump administration issued a rescission proposal last month. It argues the rule hinders firefighting and forest health, something scientists dispute.
“The roadless situation offers a space for ecosystems to thrive,” said Teton County resident Sandy Shuptrine at a letter-writing event last week.
Public comment began Aug. 20 and ends Oct. 6, a 15-day extension after advocacy groups asked for more time. It’s still shorter than the 60-plus days usually granted for major agency changes, according to the federal rulemaking page.
The climate advocate and former county commissioner joined several dozen others at Jackson’s Black Diamond store in an event hosted by Wyoming Wilderness Association, Wyoming Outdoor Council and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
The rule currently protects popular recreation areas near Jackson, including Munger Mountain, Phillips Ridge and parts of the Gros Ventre Range.
In the last year, Wyoming politicians have targeted the rule.
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, the state’s lone congressperson, introduced a bill to end the protection.
Gov. Mark Gordon is quoted in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s August rescission proposal.
“This step reflects a commitment to locally-driven, durable planning and empowering those who know these lands the best,” Gordon said.
Proponents, including Gordon, say dismantling the federal protection gives local forest managers more control.
But rafters, hunters and hikers worry that the loss of the rule could enable development or open pristine forest to more human-related disturbances. Scientists have linked more roads to more fires, for instance.
“Once this land is gone, it’s gone forever,” said Jackson native and professional mountain runner Kelly Halpin. “If you start developing it, or if it gets sold off, by logging, mining, et cetera, we won’t ever get it back.”
Alexander Muromcew is running for county commissioner as an independent, in part, because he thinks local government should be more involved in discussions about the county’s federal land. The former board member of the Jackson Hole Land Trust called the effort to repeal the rule “short-sighted.”
“This is the last intact ecosystem in North America,” said Muromcew, who also attended the letter-writing event. “We have to do our part to protect it.”
The public can mail letters to the USDA or submit online comments to the Federal Register until Oct. 6.
