The Sierra Club is helping organize two upcoming town hall meetings near Sacramento and in Tahoe in defense of the Roadless Rule, a Forest Service protection approved in 2001 that is now being targeted for repeal by the administration. The expected rollback would mark a massive change in forest policy, opening up to 45 million acres nationwide to potential development. The town hall events are an opportunity to report on the response, concerns, and actions of local community members, including conservation groups, former USFS employees, and experts on forest ecology and fire. 

May 12: Rocklin (Sacramento), 5:30 p.m. at Sierra College

May 13: South Lake Tahoe, 5:30 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Community College Aspen Room. Read more here. 

Speakers include: 

  • Erick Walker, Retired Forest Supervisor of Lake Tahoe Management Unit
  • Susan Norman, Retired USFS Hydrologist and Board Chair for Sierra Nevada Alliance
  • Katie Hawkins, California Policy Manager at Trout Unlimited 
  • Anthony Cupaiuolo, Executive Director at Tahoe Backcountry Alliance 
  • Craig Thomas, Director at The Fire Restoration Group
  • Jessica Smith, Board Chair at Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association (TAMBA)

The roadless rule had designated some areas of the forest as roadless, meaning roads could not be built in those areas.

Organizers invite the public to discuss how bringing roads back into the forest would have negative impacts on the Lake Tahoe environment, lake clarity, the economy and recreation. Attend to learn how you can have a part in protecting these incredible public lands.

The U.S. Forest Service’s Roadless Rule protects roughly 4 million acres across California from the construction of roads, which are used by industry for logging, mining and development. After proposing a rollback of the rule last year, organizers of the town hall meeting said, “Trump’s Forest Service hasn’t held any public hearings in communities that would be effective.”