USDA move puts 62K Minnesota forest acres at risk

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service proposed rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, a move that could open about 62,000 acres in Minnesota's Superior and Chippewa national forests to logging and roadbuilding.^[1]

Nationwide, the proposal would allow permanent roads on 18.2 million acres and temporary roads on 11.3 million acres of currently roadless forest.^[1] USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the rule has hampered wildfire-risk reduction and forest-health work.^[1] Environment Minnesota and other groups say new roads would damage habitat and water quality.^[1]

The 2001 Roadless Rule bars logging, road construction and other development on designated national forest lands. Supporters of the proposed change argue that allowing some roadbuilding and timber work would let managers reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health, while conservationists warn that roads fragment habitat and threaten water quality.

The Forest Service is taking public comments through Sept. 21 before any final decision, leaving communities, logging interests and environmental groups to weigh in during the notice-and-comment period.^[1]

1. FOX 9