Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a multistate comment opposing a potential rollback of the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule. According to the Attorney General’s Office release, the U.S. Forest Service is considering changes that could end protections for 45 million acres of national forests, including over a million acres of public lands in Arizona. The rule, in place for nearly 25 years, restricts road construction and logging in designated areas.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that the change could affect outdoor recreation and local economies. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that outdoor recreation contributed $1.2 trillion nationally in 2023, including $14 billion to Arizona’s economy. Areas named in the comment include trails in the Prescott and Tonto National Forests and wilderness buffers supporting a variety of activities.
A January 2025 poll cited by the Attorney General’s Office showed bipartisan support for protecting public lands. The U.S. Forest Service has reported a $6 billion backlog in road maintenance for less than 18% of its current road system. States including Washington, California, Minnesota, and New Mexico also signed the multistate comment. The letter is available on the Arizona Attorney General’s website.
