Trump rollback of US forest protections could accelerate extinction of 400 endangered species
Summary
The Trump administration has ended a rule that protected old-growth forests and restricted roads, drilling, and logging on millions of acres of national forests. This change could harm habitats of over 400 endangered animal and plant species and affect drinking water supplies for many communities.Key Facts
- The rollback removes the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which had protected about 58 million acres of forest land and rivers.
- Over 7 million acres of endangered species habitat and nearly 1,800 miles of rivers could be exposed to new development.
- The affected areas include forests in the Rocky Mountains, Alaska, the south-west, and south-east US.
- Species at risk include grizzly bears, gray wolves, wild salmon, Mexican spotted owls, hellbenders, and various rare plants.
- The Tongass National Forest in Alaska, home to many wild salmon and important to the local fishing economy, is included in the rollback.
- Drinking water for millions of people in cities like Bozeman, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Albuquerque is supplied by these protected forest watersheds.
- Conservation groups warn that more roads and logging may lead to dirtier water, fragmented wildlife habitats, and increased wildfire risks.
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