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NewsWFLA News TampaAugust 18, 2026Hillsborough

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announces plan to remove protections from 44 million acres of national forest

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving to lift existing restrictions on 44 million acres of national forest land. The stated goal of the policy change is to allow for forest management treatments intended to improve forest health and mitigate wildfire risks.

national forestswildfire managementenvironmental policyland use
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Why It Matters

This policy change affects land-use regulations across 44 million acres of federal forest, potentially altering how these areas are managed, accessed, or developed to address wildfire risks.

Key Facts

  • The policy change targets 44 million acres of national forest land.
  • The stated objective is to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk.
  • The current restrictions are described by the Agriculture Secretary as 'outdated'.
  • The proposed action involves allowing treatments that were previously prohibited on these lands.

Who's Mentioned

personBrooke Rollins“Agriculture Secretary who issued a statement supporting the proposal.”other193 million“Total acreage of the National Forest System.”organizationU.S. Forest Service“The agency proposing the rescission of the rule.”organizationSouthern Environmental Law Center“Organization opposing the proposal.”personKristin Gendzier“Senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center who criticized the prop”other44 million“Number of acres of national forest affected by the rule.”organizationU.S. Department of Agriculture“Federal agency overseeing national forests”organizationTrump administration“The administration proposing the policy change.”