The U.S. Forest Service is proposing major changes to the Travel Management Rule — the policy that has guided where motor vehicles can travel on our national forests and grasslands for decades. The rule provides a clearly mapped system for motorized access while protecting wildlife, clean water, and cultural resources, as well as hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, ranching, and other uses of our public lands.
Now the Forest Service wants to turn that system on its head, with an “open unless closed” approach that would increase road damage, uncertainty, and conflicts, as well as place additional strain on an agency with a maintenance backlog already exceeding $10.8 billion.
In southern Arizona, the high density of forest roads in our arid landscape is causing soil loss from erosion and making drought impacts worse. Closing unnecessary roads, as we continue to do with road rewilding, remains a key tool for protecting watersheds.
And, of course, this proposal isn’t happening in isolation. The administration is also moving to repeal the Roadless Rule and weaken other longstanding public land protections.
Using the form below, urge the Forest Service to abandon these proposed changes and keep this rule intact — protecting safe, multiple use of our public lands. And please personalize your letter for greatest impact.
Comments will be accepted through Sept. 23.