In Wyoming, when things aren’t working quite right, we fix them—we don’t throw them away. When your truck has a cracked windshield, a flat tire, or needs an oil change, you don’t buy a new truck—you fix it. Same goes with the Roadless Rule. While it may need some improvements, repealing it would do far more harm to Wyoming’s wildlife, habitat, and outdoor heritage—like the sticker shock of buying a brand-new truck when all you really need is a repair. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to do. Let’s fix the Roadless Rule, not repeal it.
Why the Roadless Rule Matters for Wyoming
Adopted in 2001 after one of the most extensive public engagement processes in Forest Service history—including 430 meetings and 1.6 million public comments, with 95% in support—the Roadless Area Conservation Rule has safeguarded 60 million acres of national forests, including 3.2 million acres here in Wyoming.
For nearly 25 years, it has protected the intact backcountry habitats that mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and native trout depend on—while still allowing multiple uses such as grazing, motorized recreation, camping, wildfire mitigation, and, most importantly, hunting and angling. This balanced approach has supported both wildlife and Wyoming’s outdoor economy.
Benefits for Wildlife, Hunters, and Anglers
Big Game: Roughly 70% of Wyoming’s roadless areas provide spring, summer, and fall range for elk. Hunters know the farther you get from the road, the better the hunt. More roads mean more stress on wildlife and fewer quality hunting opportunities.
Native Trout: Roadless areas safeguard clean headwaters critical for wild trout and downstream fisheries like the Snake River. Road building leads to erosion and polluted streams, threatening fish and their spawning areas, water quality, and local communities.
Repealing the rule would chip away at Wyoming’s outdoor heritage, degrade prime hunting and fishing areas, and put more pressure on already stressed wildlife populations.
The Path Forward
The Roadless Rule isn’t perfect, and like any good truck, it may need some tune-ups. But scrapping it altogether goes against both science and the voices of the American public. Instead of throwing it out, let’s work together to improve it—to ensure Wyoming’s wildlife, water, and wide-open backcountry endure for future generations.
Take Action
The USDA is developing a draft Environmental Impact Statement and has opened a short 21-day public comment period that closes September 19.
Join the Wyoming Wildlife Federation in telling USDA to fix the Roadless Rule, not repeal it.
Thank you for helping to defend Wyoming’s exceptional wildlife, habitat, and outdoor heritage.
Writing a Comment: An Example
Need some comment writing guidance? Below is an example that you can take inspiration and guidance from.
Subject: Please Fix the Roadless Rule, Don’t Repeal It
Dear Secretary Rollins,
In Wyoming, when things aren’t working quite right, we fix them—we don’t throw them away. When your truck has a cracked windshield or needs an oil change, you don’t buy a new one—you fix it. The same goes for the Roadless Rule. While it may need some improvements, repealing it would do lasting harm to Wyoming’s wildlife, clean water, and outdoor heritage.
The Roadless Rule has worked for nearly 25 years to keep backcountry habitat intact while still allowing for multiple use. In Wyoming alone, 3.2 million acres of national forests are protected under the rule, benefiting hunters, anglers, ranchers, and local communities. These lands provide critical elk, deer, and pronghorn habitat, sustain native trout in clean headwaters, and offer world-class hunting and fishing opportunities.
[SHARE WHY YOU CARE ABOUT ROADLESS PUBLIC LANDS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING HERE]
Repealing the rule would mean more roads, more stress on wildlife, and degraded water quality, as well as exceptionally more fire danger due to increased human presence. Instead of throwing it out, please work with hunters, anglers, ranchers, and conservationists to fix what needs fixing while keeping the core protections in place.
I urge you to keep Wyoming’s roadless areas for the wildlife, waters, and the way of life we all value. The roadless rule needs to be worked on, not repealed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Hometown], Wyoming