Republican Party of New Mexico

09/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2025 14:01

Repeal The Roadless Rule

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 - Statement from Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico

Senator Heinrich's recent comments on the Trump Administration's effort to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule once again show a disconnect between Democrat Representatives and the realities facing New Mexicans. While Senator Heinrich claims that rolling back the rule will "make millions of acres vulnerable to destructive wildfires, carve up wildlife habitat, degrade opportunities for recreation, and threaten the headwaters our communities rely on," the truth for communities in New Mexico is more complex.

The Roadless Rule, implemented under the Clinton Administration, currently protects approximately 58-59 million acres of national forest lands. However, the 2025 rescission proposal targets about 44.7 million acres, returning decision-making to local forest managers. For New Mexicans, the inflexible federal mandate has contributed to overgrown, unhealthy forests that are more vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires. We know that most wildfire ignitions in the U.S. are human-caused, and studies show ignition density is heavily concentrated near roads, highlighting the need for proper forest access and management.

President Trump's proposal is a commonsense approach that allows local forest officials the flexibility to conduct responsible thinning, controlled burns, and other fuels-reduction projects. These tools help protect homes, ranches, and communities while also preserving our forests for future generations. The goal is not to destroy our forests but to manage them in a way that keeps people safe and maintains healthy ecosystems.

If Senator Heinrich truly wants to put New Mexicans first, he should stop defending one-size-fits-all policies from Washington and start advocating for real forest management that works. It is time to give local managers, ranchers, and residents the ability to care for our forests effectively-so that future generations inherit healthy, usable, and safe public lands.

- Amy Barela
Chairwoman, Republican Party of New Mexico

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The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairwoman Amy Barela, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662.
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Republican Party of New Mexico published this content on September 17, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 17, 2025 at 20:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]