Memo: What the Roadless Rule repeal means for wildland firefighting in New Mexico and more

Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Trump administration is moving to rescind the U.S. Forest Service’s 25-year-old Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a bedrock policy that safeguards some of America’s last intact forested backcountry. Meanwhile, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a measure that would codify that expected rescission into law.  

Altogether, this move could have extraordinary consequences for New Mexico—ending protections for 1.6 million acres of public lands in New Mexico, including areas within the Carson, Cibola, Coronado, Gila, Lincoln and Santa Fe national forests.  

A majority of Americans support the Roadless Area Conservation Rule—with 87% of voters, across the political spectrum, supporting keeping national forests and roadless areas intact. Rolling back this popular rule will jeopardize fire management, recreation access, and clean air and water.  

More roads mean more fires 

A Wilderness Society study found fires are nearly three times more likely to start near a road in New Mexico than in roadless forests. The United States Forest Service’s (USFS) own research shows that 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by people. At the same time, the agency faces a multi-billion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance on its existing road system. Repealing the Rule may cause more roads to be constructed—increasing ignition risk and complicating suppression efforts in already fire-prone landscapes—instead of prioritizing the maintenance of existing infrastructure.  

On top of this, the administration has cut roughly 15% of USFS staff, including many with fire expertise, and launched a risky consolidation of firefighters across the federal land management agencies. Altogether, this raises concerns about long-term wildland fire readiness in New Mexico. 

More roads jeopardize recreation  

The public lands where New Mexicans hunt, fish, hike and camp will be less wild and more developed following the end of the conservation protections that come with the Roadless Rule.  

• New Mexico’s roadless forests draw millions of recreational visits a year, contributing to the state’s $3.6 billion outdoor recreation economy. 
• New Mexico national forests that contain roadless areas are important to hunters and anglers, and are documented as important big-game and fish habitats. 
• Roadless areas provide quieter, less fragmented recreational experiences that are valuable for backcountry activities like backpacking, hiking and wildlife viewing.