New Forest Rule Proposal

The Trump administration plans to revise the Forest Service’s travel management rule so trails are open unless designated closed.

Current Trail Rules

Most national forests require trails to be explicitly open for motorized vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs, otherwise they’re for nonmotorized use.

Environmental Concerns

Wildlife groups warn that opening trails to motorized vehicles could damage river ecosystems and fish populations like cutthroat trout.

“I'm totally OK with appropriate machine use in the forest. But there are just places where the ecosystem is too sensitive.”

River Restoration Success

Restoration efforts in Montana’s Middle Fork Judith River improved fish populations after removing sediment from vehicle crossings.

“Fish numbers are up. The work we did to remove the sediment is restoring water quality and the fish population.”

Policy Changes in Montana

The Forest Service is revising rules alongside rescinding the roadless rule, which protects 45 million acres from logging and road building.

Opposition Arguments

Conservation groups say the changes lack clarity and could cause conflicts between recreationists and wildlife protection efforts.

“The travel management rule is part of your experience. And your experience is not an accident.”

Supporters' View

Proponents argue the changes will improve access for people with disabilities and elderly users on public lands.

“This is public land, and people with disabilities, the elderly, need some sort of transportation to get out there.”

Environmental Trade-offs

The proposed changes could harm river health and fish populations while increasing motorized vehicle use on sensitive ecosystems.

Public Comment Period

The Forest Service extended its public comment period for the rule change to October 6 after backlash over short timelines.

Historical Context

The travel management rule has been in place since the 1970s to balance recreation and conservation on public lands.

Ecosystem Impact

Motorized vehicle use in river corridors causes erosion, sediment runoff, and threatens fish spawning habitats.

“The fish population was estimated to be less than 10 percent of what we’d expect of a river that size and character.”

Restoration Efforts

Collaborative projects in Montana have rebuilt riverbanks and reduced vehicle crossings to improve fish populations.

“We rebuilt 1,000 feet of riverbank, reduced the number of crossings by 80 percent, and built a new section of the off-highway vehicle and jeep trail.”

Policy Rollbacks

The administration is rolling back environmental protections, including the roadless rule and Endangered Species Act changes.

Stakeholder Concerns

Wildlife advocates fear the changes will undermine conservation efforts and harm public lands for future generations.

“This administration does not appear to value what our public-land system is rooted in.”