Trump Administration Proposes Opening National Forest Trails to Motorized Vehicles, Sparking Environmental Concerns
The Trump administration's Forest Service has announced a plan to revise its travel management rule, shifting from a 'closed unless designated open' policy for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) to an 'open unless designated closed' approach. This proposed change would prioritize motorized access on service roads, trails, and backcountry airfields within national forests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, states that this move aims to increase recreational access and simplify regulatory requirements. However, this proposal faces significant opposition from conservation organizations, sportsmen, backcountry horsemen, and nonmotorized recreation groups. They argue that opening nearly all Forest Service trails to motorized vehicles could have severe environmental consequences for ecosystems and wildlife, as well as impact the critical role healthy forests play in carbon sequestration. The Forest Service is currently accepting public comments on this proposed revision.