Idaho Roadless Rule won't be affected by revocation of national rule

The Trump administration's plan to rescind the national roadless rule will not affect the Idaho Roadless Rule, which allows limited logging and roadbuilding in designated areas. A spokesperson from the U. S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that Idaho's state-specific rule falls under the Administrative Procedures Act petitions. Established in 2006 by then-Governor Jim Risch, the Idaho rule applies to roughly 9 million acres of roadless forests.

This contrasts with the national rule, which protects 58 million acres of undeveloped federal forest land across the country. The move is significant for Idaho's logging interests, as it offers more flexible management options compared to the stricter national rule. Local stakeholders have long debated the balance between conservation and resource extraction. The preservation of Idaho's roadless rule reflects ongoing tensions in forest management policies. Ultimately, this decision will influence future logging and environmental conservation efforts in the state.