Protect California’s Last Wild Places
Secretary Rollins, United States Department of Agriculture
Now is the time to raise your voice to protect California's public lands and wild places! Sign your name by September 19 to keep the Roadless Rule in place — protecting California’s heritage and resilience for generations to come.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering rolling back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a vital safeguard that protects nearly 9 million acres of California’s most wild and pristine forests from logging, road building, and development. These protected areas are the headwaters of our rivers, home to native fish and wildlife, and invaluable for outdoor recreation and climate resilience.
The Roadless Rule has been one of our country’s strongest conservation tools for more than two decades, protecting over 58 million acres of wild forests nationwide — including nearly 9 million acres in California —from road building and large-scale logging. These protections, largely located in headwaters, keep streams cold and clean, safeguard fish and wildlife habitat. They also ensure we all have access to unspoiled landscapes for fishing, hiking, and connection with nature. Today, however, the rule is under threat of repeal, which could open tens of millions of acres to development and compromise the very places that make California wild.
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To:
Secretary Rollins, United States Department of Agriculture
From:
[Your Name]
I strongly oppose the USDA's proposal to eliminate or weaken the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities upon which millions of Americans depend.
We, the undersigned members of California Trout, urge you to uphold the protections of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule has been one of our nation’s most effective conservation tools for over twenty years, safeguarding more than 58 million acres of wild forests nationwide — including nearly 9 million acres in California — from road building, large-scale logging, and development. These protected areas often serve as headwaters that keep streams cold, clean, and resilient — supporting native fish populations like trout, salmon, and steelhead, and providing critical habitat for countless species.
The protections afforded by the Roadless Rule are essential for maintaining water quality, protecting wildlife habitat, and supporting outdoor recreation opportunities — from fishing and camping to hiking and wildlife viewing. They are vital for climate resilience, helping sustain the natural flow of rivers and streams during changing environmental conditions.
The current proposal threatens to open tens of millions of acres to harmful development, fragment habitats, and undermine the ecological integrity of these invaluable landscapes. Without these protections, activities like new roads, logging, and industrial development could destroy habitat connectivity, diminish water quality, and threaten the wild places that define California’s natural heritage.
The continued enforcement of the Roadless Rule is crucial for preserving biodiversity, ensuring clean water, and bolstering our climate resilience. We call on you, as Secretary, to reject the misguided proposal and keep these last, best places protected for the benefit of future generations.
We stand united in supporting the enduring protection of California’s wild landscapes and urge you to maintain the integrity of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Sincerely,
A Concerned California Resident