Trump plans to cut protections for 44 million acres of forest

The Hill  - The U.S. Forest Service has proposed to rescind the 2001 “Roadless Rule,” which prohibits road construction and logging in pristine parts of national forests that don’t currently have roads.  By blocking roads, the rule targeted by the administration also inhibits activity like mining and oil and gas drilling in these areas.   Officials said Tuesday that 44 million acres of the 193-million-acre National Forest System are subject to these protections.  In a press release, the administration argued the rule also impedes forest management and could exacerbate wildfires