A proposed federal rule change could open tens of thousands of acres of public land to development.
This comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture considers repealing the Federal Roadless Rule. The law has limited road building and logging in remote national forest areas for more than two decades. Changing the rule could affect around 70-thousand acres of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Tribal leaders and environmental advocates say the move could harm water quality, wildlife, and Ojibwe treaty rights.
Federal officials say a draft proposal is expected next year, followed by public comment before a final decision.
