Jun 11, 2026
Public lands deserve public input; call your senators and ask that they vote against the bill as long as Lee's amendment remains attached.
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 11-9 to advance S.140, the Wildfire Prevention Act, including an amendment from Utah Senator Mike Lee that would nullify the 2001 Roadless Rule.
Senator Lee, Chairman of the Committee, attached his amendment to S.140 late on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, with no advance notice. All Republican committee members voted in favor, while all Democratic members voted in opposition. The bill now moves to the full Senate, where it will need 60 votes to advance before it can move to the House.
WWA is grateful for everyone who rallied to oppose this amendment so quickly, and to the senators on the committee who spoke in defense of the Roadless Rule during discussion.
We urge you to continue contacting your electeds to voice your support for the Roadless Rule.
The 2001 Roadless Rule is commonsense, effective, and popular policy. For a quarter of a century, it has safeguarded more than 58 million acres of national forest lands - including 3.2. million acres in Wyoming - from road-building and large-scale industrial development. Lands without roads encompass some of our nation’s most pristine forest lands, intact habitats, clean air and water, and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Since it was first proposed, the Roadless Rule has had overwhelming public support. That support continues today, and is the reason Senator Lee (like Harriet Hagement with her recent HR 7695) attempted to avoid any comment or input on his nullification amendment.
Call your senators and ask that they vote against S.140 as long as Senator Lee's amendment to nullify the Roadless Rule remains attached. You can reach them by dialing the US Capitol switchboard at (2020) 224-3121 and requesting to be connected to their respective offices.
You can also voice your support The Roadless Area Conservation Act (H.R. 3930), which was introduced in the same committee and would permanently codify the Roadless Rule’s protections.
For further reading on S.140, Senator Lee's amendment, and the fate of the Roadless Rule, WWA recommends this Substack by Jim Pattiz and More Than Just Parks.