PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A 2001 federal rule that protects millions of acres of forest land in Arizona and across the U.S. is now at risk of being overturned.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its intent to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule , a move that has prompted concern and pushback from conservationists.

The rule prohibits road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvesting on designated roadless areas within national forests.

In Arizona, five of the state’s national forests are protected by this rule. They are the Prescott, Tonto, Kaibab, Coronado and Apache-Sitgreaves National forests.

For advocates like Brittany Chavez with the Arizona Trail Association , the proposed rollback is deeply troubling. “We have recognized time and time again that these ar

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