REI Co-op statement on the proposed Roadless Rule rollback

Today, the U.S. Forest Service advanced a proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, a 25-year-old safeguard that protects some of America's most treasured backcountry forests from road construction, logging and mining. REI Co-op is deeply concerned by this proposal and its impact on outdoor recreation and believes these lands should remain protected for the benefit of future generations.

If finalized, the proposal would remove protections from as many as 45 million acres of roadless national forest lands across the country. These are some of America's most iconic outdoor landscapes, including vast stretches of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails. They also support more than:

• 10,000 climbing routes
• 25,121 miles of hiking trails
• 768 river miles for paddling
• 10,794 miles of mountain biking trails

^{Source: Outdoor Alliance}

For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has helped preserve backcountry forests that provide clean water, critical wildlife habitat and irreplaceable outdoor recreation opportunities. Rolling back these protections would represent one of the most significant reductions of conservation safeguards on public lands in recent memory.

As REI Co-op Chief Impact Officer Susan Viscon said in a recent video, "These are the places where people hike, camp and recharge. They protect clean water, wildlife and the backcountry experiences that make time outside so meaningful. I’ve worked at REI for three decades and have seen us advocate for these lands in so many ways. Right now, we’re working with partners at the forefront of forest advocacy, submitting public comments, and standing up for these places."

REI is working with Brands for Public Lands and The Conservation Alliance member organizations to speak up during the comment period and share why this issue matters to their communities. At the same time, REI is mobilizing members and the broader outdoor community to take action through the REI Cooperative Action Network.

This information may be attributed to an REI spokesperson.