The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to roll back the 25-year-old Roadless Rule to make way for road building, logging and mining. Meanwhile, the federal government has reduced transparency requirements, making it more difficult for forest advocates to speak up.
In response, MountainTrue, with support from The Wilderness Society, is hosting a People’s Public Hearing in Franklin July 23 to allow the public a chance to learn more and submit their opinions on the proposed rescission.
This event is a chance to learn more and share your perspective.
In 2001, the U.S. Forest Service adopted the Roadless Area Conservation Rule to protect nearly 59 million acres of national forest lands from road building, logging and industrial development. Supported by overwhelming public input, the rule has safeguarded clean drinking water, wildlife habitat and backcountry recreation opportunities for more than two decades.
Now, that protection is under serious threat. In June 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to rescind the Roadless Rule.
About 15% of Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are Inventoried Roadless Areas — places like Linville Gorge, Craggy Mountain, the Black Mountains and the headwaters of the South Mills River.
More resources, maps and information about the roadless rule can be found at roadless.org. If you can’t make the event, comments can be submitted at roadless.org/contact-representatives.
For more information on this event and to register, please visit mountaintrue.org/event/peoples-public-hearing-on-roadless-rule-repeal-near-franklin-nc-2.
The event will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on July 23 at the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center.