Roadless Rule Rollback: What It Could Mean for Alaska Manufacturers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to repeal the Roadless Rule, a 2001 regulation that restricts road-building, logging, and development on 45 million acres of federal land.

No state is more affected than Alaska, which holds almost a third of those acres — including much of the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world.

This decision opens a new round of public comment through September 19, 2025.

What the Roadless Rule Does

• Enacted in 2001, the rule limits logging, road construction, and large-scale development on inventoried roadless areas.

• The intent was to conserve ecosystems, wildlife, and watersheds while still allowing limited use for recreation, traditional subsistence, and small-scale development.

• Over the past 25 years, it has become one of the most significant conservation protections in the U.S.

Support for Repeal

Proponents — including the Alaska Forest Association, some utilities, and mining advocates — argue that repealing the Roadless Rule would:

• Unlock access to timber and minerals critical for manufacturing and energy projects.

• Enable road construction needed for hydro projects, rural energy, and broadband.

• Improve wildfire management by allowing more thinning and fuel reduction.

• Return decision-making power to local managers, instead of one-size-fits-all federal rules.

“It is vital that we properly manage our federal lands to create healthy, resilient, and productive forests for generations to come.” – Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Opposition to Repeal

Opponents — including conservation groups, Alaska Native tribes, and many tourism businesses — see the rollback as a major threat. Their concerns include:

• Damage to fisheries and wildlife habitats, especially salmon streams tied to Southeast Alaska’s economy and culture.

• Loss of tourism revenue in a region that markets its pristine wilderness as a global destination.

• Repeating the mistakes of the past, when unsustainable clear-cutting left long-term scars on the Tongass.

• Inadequate public comment time, just three weeks to weigh in on a decision with generational impacts.

“Rescinding the Roadless Rule will devastate our community just as we are beginning to heal from clear-cut logging of the past.” – Joel Jackson, Organized Village of Kake

What It Means for Manufacturers

For Alaska’s manufacturers, this is not a simple yes-or-no issue. It’s about balancing opportunity and risk.

• Resource Access: A repeal could expand supply chains for wood products, biomass, and mining inputs.

• Infrastructure: New roads could improve connectivity, energy access, and logistics — key barriers for rural manufacturing.

• Market Risk: Global buyers demand sustainability. Products tied to controversial logging could face reputational and certification hurdles.

• Industry Tensions: Expanding one sector (logging/mining) could harm others (fisheries, tourism), with ripple effects across the economy.

This is a decision that affects all of Alaska’s industries, not just logging.

Why Your Voice Matters

The Roadless Rule has been debated for decades, and Alaskans have consistently played a central role in shaping its future. The current public comment period is open until September 19, 2025.

Whether you believe repeal will create new opportunities or you worry about the risks to fisheries, tourism, and culture, it’s critical that Alaska’s manufacturers and community leaders add their voices.

Make your comment: Visit the Federal Register’s public comment portal before September 19, 2025.

The Bigger Picture

At AKMA, we believe responsible manufacturing depends on clear, predictable rules and a balanced approach to resource development. Alaska needs both economic opportunity and environmental stewardship to thrive.

This isn’t just about timber — it’s about Alaska’s future. Let’s make sure that future is built with the input of those who live and work here.

Your Turn: What’s your perspective on the Roadless Rule rollback? Join the discussion in our comments, and don’t forget to submit your public comment by Sept. 19, 2025.

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How to Make a Public Comment on the Roadless Rule Rollback

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking public comments on its proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule until September 19, 2025.

Here’s how you can make your voice heard:

Step 1: Go to the Federal Register

• Visit the public comment portal: Federal Register – Roadless Rule Repeal

• Search for “Roadless Rule repeal 2025” if the link doesn’t go directly to the docket.

Step 2: Write Your Comment

You can write directly into the comment box or upload a document. Comments don’t need to be long — what matters is that they are personal, specific, and constructive.

Step 3: Identify Your Stake

Start by introducing who you are:

• Your role (manufacturer, business owner, resident, etc.)

• Why this issue matters to you (e.g., business supply chains, workforce, community impact)

Step 4: Share Your Perspective

Here are balanced talking points you can use or adapt:

If supporting repeal (pro-development):

• Roads are essential for infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing projects that Alaska communities rely on.

• Streamlining access to timber and minerals could support local supply chains and reduce reliance on imports.

• Improved access can lower costs for rural Alaskans and create manufacturing jobs.

If opposing repeal (pro-conservation):

• The Tongass and other roadless areas are critical to fisheries, tourism, and subsistence economies.

• Past unsustainable logging left lasting scars — we should not repeat those mistakes.

• Alaska’s manufacturers need to be able to market products as sustainable to meet global demand.

If urging balance (middle-ground):

• Alaska needs both development and conservation to thrive.

• Any repeal should include strict sustainability safeguards and clear market pathways for certified products.

• Policy should be shaped by local voices — including manufacturers, tribes, and communities who depend on these lands.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

• Deadline: September 19, 2025

• Once submitted, your comment becomes part of the public record and will help shape the final decision.

✅ Pro Tip: Encourage your employees, suppliers, and partners to comment too. Numbers matter, and the more perspectives from Alaska, the stronger our collective voice.