Business Leaders Push Back on Roadless Rule Repeal

September 30, 2026 - 06:33

A coalition of outdoor industry businesses is urging policymakers to keep federal protections in place for undeveloped national forest lands, arguing that the economic health of rural communities depends on intact landscapes.

The Granite Outdoor Alliance, a New Hampshire based group representing outdoor recreation companies, has come out against efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule. The group says the White Mountain region and similar wild areas serve as the foundation for a growing sector that supports jobs, attracts customers and keeps small businesses running across the state.

According to the alliance, outdoor recreation is not a niche interest but a core part of the regional economy. Trail networks, quiet forests and undeveloped ridgelines draw visitors who spend money at local shops, restaurants, gear stores and guiding services. Removing protections, the group warns, could open sensitive areas to road building and resource extraction that would undercut the very qualities that make the region a destination.

The organization points to a straightforward business argument. Companies in the outdoor sector rely on accessible wild places to sell products and services. When those places are fragmented or developed, customer demand weakens and the economic ripple effects reach far beyond the trailhead.

The alliance is calling on other business owners to speak up during the public comment process. It argues that protecting roadless areas is not just an environmental position but a practical decision that safeguards revenue, employment and the long term viability of communities that depend on recreation and tourism.