Repeal of national park rule could impact drinking water for millions of Americans, study finds

The Trump administration’s 2025 repeal of the Roadless Rule, which bans logging and road construction in U.S. national parks and wilderness areas, could affect drinking water for 25 million Americans, according to a study. The peer-reviewed research, funded by the University of Washington and American Rivers, highlights risks of degraded water quality, loss of wildlife habitat, and reduced recreational access, with specific examples like Pisgah National Forest and Ashley National Forest supplying water to major cities.