Press Release: READ: Gov. Evers Sends Letter Urging Trump Administration to Halt Plans to Rescind 2001 Rule Affecting the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Emphasizes Potential Environmental Impacts 

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 04/21/2026 01:40 PM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2026
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
READ: Gov. Evers Sends Letter Urging Trump Administration to Halt Plans to Rescind 2001 Rule Affecting the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Emphasizes Potential Environmental Impacts 
During Earth Week, the governor’s letter highlights the nearly 70,000 acres of land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the surrounding ecosystems that will be left unprotected, slams Trump Administration for failing to respect Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, during Earth Week, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins expressing his concerns with the USDA’s proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule, which would impact nearly 70,000 acres of land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northern Wisconsin. Gov. Evers, who has made building strong government-to-government relationships with Native Nations in Wisconsin, respecting Tribal sovereignty, and protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources a top priority of his administration, outlined in his letter his opposition to the rescission plan expressed by many of Wisconsin’s Tribal entities, including the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, both of whom have stated that the Trump Administration has failed to give Tribal representatives a real seat at the table in federal decision-making that impacts ceded territories and Tribal reservation lands. 

The Roadless Rule was implemented by the United States Forest Service (USFS) in 2001, designating several forests and grasslands within the National Forest System as “inventoried roadless areas,” placing limits on logging operations and the construction of new roads within the protected acreage. Nearly 60 million acres of forests and grasslands spanning across 38 states are recognized as roadless areas, including in Wisconsin, and they represent some of the nation’s least disturbed forests, which are essential to the unique ecosystems and environments that maintain the well-being of communities and habitats across the country. 

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northern Wisconsin comprises over a million acres of woodlands spanning across 11 counties. The 70,000 acres protected under the rule represent the most secluded parts of the forest, all of which are critical to maintaining several important ecosystems, such as the Lake Superior and Mississippi River watersheds. 

For over 20 years, the 2001 Roadless Rule has been an example of bipartisanship, with scientists and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle recognizing the merit of the policy’s approach. In his letter, Gov. Evers expresses concern that the USDA is seeking to rescind this highly supported policy with “no clear justification besides capitulating to the misguided goals of President Donald J. Trump.”

In his letter, the governor urges the Trump Administration to follow Wisconsin’s proud history of conservation by reversing course on rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule and instead working to properly engage Tribal Nations in relevant decision-making and prioritize protecting essential natural resources.   

A transcript of the governor’s letter to USDA Secretary Rollins is available below. 

Dear Secretary Rollins:

I write to express my concerns with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule, which would impact significant portions of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northern Wisconsin. As governor, I have worked hard to protect and conserve our unique natural resources in the state, and this proposed rescission is counter to the state, local, and Tribal-led efforts that have been and continue to be advanced in Wisconsin.

The 2001 Roadless Rule protects nearly 70,000 acres of backcountry lands in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest from unnecessary road construction and timber harvesting activities while providing some of the country’s premier hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor opportunities. Reducing unneeded development activities on public lands also helps protect water quality, another top priority of my administration. Numerous former federal government experts residing in Wisconsin who managed both the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as environmental and public lands advocates have expressed concern about the potential harmful impacts of this proposal. The 2001 Roadless Rule was developed and approved with broad support, and it is concerning that USDA is seeking to rescind these protections with no clear justification besides capitulating to the misguided goals of President Donald J. Trump.

Additionally, it is clear that USDA has not meaningfully engaged with Tribal Nations in this rescission proposal. Numerous Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations, including the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission have expressed significant opposition to this proposal and have demanded a real seat at the table in federal decision-making that impacts ceded territories and Tribal reservation lands, yet it seems USDA and the Trump Administration has disregarded their responsibility of government-to-government collaboration with Tribal Nations. One of my first actions as governor was to re-establish a formal Tribal consultation policy between my administration and the 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations located in Wisconsin, which has benefited the state and resulted in better collaboration, improved decision-making, and greater respect for Tribal treaty rights. USDA must follow my lead by reversing course and engaging Tribal Nations in relevant decision-making, including this proposal.

Wisconsin’s forest industry is an important sector that I have been proud to support here in Wisconsin. At the same time, protecting vulnerable and valuable public lands must also be a priority. As such, I urge USDA to abandon this unnecessary rescission, improve Tribal consultation policies, and re-focus its efforts on providing real support to American farmers and foresters.

Sincerely,

Tony Evers
Governor
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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