USDA’s proposed repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule covers 44.7 million acres, but Oregon loggers told NPR that fuel and hiring costs are more immediate concerns than expanded timber access.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal would rescind a rule that generally limits road construction and timber harvesting in designated national forest areas. Separate rules for Idaho and Colorado would remain in place.
The repeal would not authorize any specific road or timber operation. Later proposals would still have to follow the relevant forest plans and environmental review. USDA says near-term management opportunities would be “modest and localized,” constrained by plans, budgets, land operability and legal requirements. It found about 4.8 million acres where physical conditions and existing plan allowances overlap. That figure is not a forecast of how much timber will be harvested.
NPR reported that Sean Smith, CEO of Starfire Lumber, said access to nearby timber could help his business, but operating costs are a more pressing concern. Logger Jeff Brink told NPR that difficulty finding workers and diesel prices are among his challenges.
The Forest Resources Association has also reported trouble recruiting skilled workers for logging and trucking and said fuel costs are pressuring logging and log-hauling contractors. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a national average on-highway diesel price of $6.276 per gallon in its weekly reading dated Oct. 19, down from $6.529 on Sept. 21.
The American Forest Resource Council supports repeal, saying it would give local forest managers more flexibility to address wildfire risk. USDA says improved access could enable some forest treatments, but could also increase human-caused fire starts in certain areas and reduce opportunities for remote recreation.
USDA’s comment window ended Oct. 6. The department has not announced a date for deciding on a final rule.
