OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – State leaders are criticizing the Trump administration’s plans to open millions of acres of public land for development, including some in Whatcom County.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown co-led a letter with seven other states on Friday urging the U.S. Forest Service not to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
The legislation, also known as the Roadless Rule, was enacted in 2001 to protect national forests from unnecessary road construction and commercial logging.
According to the AG’s Office, the protected areas support thousands of climbing routes, paddling runs and trails for hikers and bikers across the country.
“A generation of Washingtonians has grown up enjoying these lands knowing they were protected from development,” AG Brown said. “Repealing or weakening this rule will increase wildfire risk, degrade our old-growth forests, pollute our waters, threaten our fish and wildlife, and jeopardize culturally important sites for tribes. We’ll oppose this action with every tool available to us.”
Washington is home to roughly 2 million acres of that protected land, which includes parts of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in June that it’s rescinding the rule so it can promote fire prevention and “responsible” timber production.
Gov. Bob Ferguson recently called on the department to offer more clarity on the plan, noting concerns over the lack of public comment and consultation with Tribes.
