Rollback of “Roadless Rule” Puts Indigenous Sacred Areas at Risk
Trump administration to open 21-day public comment period starting Aug. 29, 2025
New York, NY—The Trump administration announced it is seeking public comment on its proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule and the environmental impacts it would cause. The Roadless Rule prohibits road construction and logging on 58.5 million acres of wild areas in national forests in order to protect habitats and ecosystems. Some Tribes have stated that the administration acted without legally required government-to-government consultation, and that the rollback of the policy could negatively impact access to cultural foods, animals, and other resources. The following statement from Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), executive director of Native Organizers Alliance, can be quoted in full or in part.
“Removing the Roadless Rule will lead to the destruction of Indigenous sacred places, areas where we continue to practice our traditions and cultures and are supposed to be legally protected by law.
The Trump administration has weakened environmental impact assessments by cutting public comment periods and limiting reviews of impacts on public lands. On top of that, they have also refused to engage in the legally required consultations with Tribal nations.
Tribes have an inherent right to determine the future of their ancestral homelands. Consultation and consent is not optional.
We must continue to voice our concerns every chance we get, starting with this public comment period. We must continue to remind Congress and the administration that they have to honor Tribal sovereignty.”
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Contact:
Brad Angerman
bangerman@pyramidcommunications.com
702-218-4490
About Native Organizers Alliance
The nation’s leading organization dedicated to building Native power. Through advocacy, capacity building, and campaign support, Native Organizers Alliance amplifies the power of Tribes, organizations, and grassroots movements to drive policy change in Indian Country. Learn more at nativeorganizing.org/.
