Federal Roadless Rule rollback would put millions of acres of California forest — including San Bernardino National Forest land — at risk

Big Bear Valley sits within the San Bernardino National Forest — one of California's major national forests — and a sweeping federal proposal could strip long-standing protections from more than four million acres of California's roadless forest land statewide. While the source article does not specifically name the San Bernardino National Forest among affected forests, California's national forests broadly face this threat, and the public has until midnight on September 21, 2026 to comment on the plan.[1]

What is the Roadless Rule — and what's at stake?

The 2001 Roadless Rule, enacted under the Clinton administration, prohibits road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting on 45 million acres of National Forest System land across the country.[1] California alone holds nearly 21 million acres of national forest — more than any state except Alaska — and the proposed rollback would open 4,416,000 of those acres to potential development.[1]

The rule has deep roots in public support. When it was first adopted, more than 600 hearings were held nationwide, and over 1.6 million public comments were submitted in favor of it — more than any other rule in U.S. history, according to Earthjustice.[1]

What the federal government says

The federal government argues the rollback is necessary to allow responsible timber production and to enable more aggressive wildfire mitigation efforts on forest lands currently off-limits to road-building and logging.[1] A San Bernardino National Forest spokesperson or USDA regional representative was not immediately available to comment on how those goals would specifically apply to the Big Bear area; the USDA's full press release is publicly available and could offer additional detail.

What opponents say — and why it matters for Big Bear

Critics of the rollback argue it would do the opposite of reducing wildfire risk. An analysis by The Wilderness Society, drawing on wildfire data from 1992 to 2024, found that wildfires are nearly four times more likely to start in forest areas with roads than in roadless areas.[1] For a community that has lived through the devastation of major fires, that finding carries weight.

Opponents also warn that rescinding the rule would increase development pressure on forests, harm wildlife habitat, and threaten water supplies that flow from roadless headwaters.[1] Outdoor recreation advocates add that roadless areas underpin California's $81.5 billion outdoor recreation economy, supporting the hiking, hunting, fishing, and mountain biking that draw visitors to places like Big Bear year-round.[1]

U.S. Representative Jared Huffman was blunt in his opposition. "Now they want to build thousands of miles of new roads through our national forests, when we know most wildfires start within a half mile of a road, all so they can make it easier to clear-cut old-growth forests that have stood for centuries," Huffman said. "It's reckless." He added: "These forests belong to the American people, and they have said, over and over, that they want them protected. We will fight this in Congress."[1]

How to make your voice heard

The comment period on the proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule is open through midnight on September 21, 2026.[1] Residents can submit comments through the federal rulemaking portal at regulations.gov — the docket number listed in the source article's link is FS-2025-0001. Given Big Bear's location within the San Bernardino National Forest, local comments about the specific impacts on this community could be especially relevant to the record.