Gallego, Colleagues Urge U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service to Protect National Forests

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) in sending a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Boren and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, to maintain consistent environmental protections and local input mechanisms in any attempted revision of the 2005 Travel Management Rule. “For years, the current rule has successfully balanced the use of motorized vehicles with other uses on public lands — ensuring that motorized use in our forests is managed responsibly, centering forest-level decision-making with state and local input, and protecting the environment,” wrote the senators. “Many of the proposed changes in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently published Notice of Intent (NOI) would significantly alter the overarching framework that protects our lands and waters and supports our nation’s wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation economy.” The letter identifies six core principles that the administration should maintain in any revisions to the 2005 Travel Management Rule: Provide Meaningful Guidance that Helps Avoid Environmental Impacts; Center State, Tribal, and Local Input; Consider Impacts to All Types of Recreation and Uses; Ensure Adequate Resources for Maintaining all Open Trails and Roads; Continue to Provide Clear Information; and Maintain Flexibility that Incorporates Public Input “We urge the Forest Service to approach these revisions with those principles in mind and to work closely with Congress, Tribal Nations, State and local governments, and the broad range of stakeholders that depend on our national forests. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that any final rule gives land managers the tools to keep our forests accessible, safe, and healthy for generations to come,” concluded the senators . Senator Gallego has long fought to protect America’s beautiful public lands. Last month, Senator Gallego continued his fight to protect the Roadless Rule , which directly protects America’s national forests. This month the Senate passed the Gallego backed Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 which makes it easier for states to preform prescribed burnsthus reducing the risk of wildfires. Read the full text of the letter HERE .