The U.S. Forest Service is considering a rule change that would shift the default access for trails, two-tracks, and roads in national forests from "closed unless designated open" to "open unless designated closed." This proposed change, announced in late August 2026, aims to prioritize motorized access on service roads, trails, and backcountry airfields. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, stated the move would increase recreation access and "simplify regulatory requirements." However, the proposal has faced opposition from sportsmen, backcountry horsemen, conservation organizations, and non-motorized recreation groups, who warn of potential environmental consequences. Currently, the Travel Management Rule requires trails to be explicitly designated as open for off-highway vehicles, such as ATVs and dirt bikes. Most national forests maintain detailed "travel management plans" that specify which trails are open for motorized or non-motorized use. The proposed revision would eliminate this requirement, allowing motorized access unless explicitly restricted. Critics argue that this change could lead to increased environmental degradation, particularly in sensitive ecosystems that support wildlife and carbon sequestration. Hillary Eisen, federal policy director for Wild Montana, criticized the proposed rule as "vague," "somewhat poorly written," and "difficult to follow." She expressed concern that without clear guidelines, motorized users could access any feature that might be interpreted as a trail or road. "Any sort of feature that you could interpret to be a trail or a road would be open to every type of use, unless closed," she said. Chris Edgington, a watershed project manager with Montana Trout Unlimited, highlighted the environmental damage caused by off-highway vehicle use on the Middle Fork of the Judith River. Prior to 2023, the river had over 80 stream crossings, leading to significant erosion and sedimentation that harmed fish populations. A collaborative effort reduced crossings by 80 percent and restored riverbank stability, leading to improved fish numbers and water quality. Edgington warned that repealing the travel management rule could undermine such conservation efforts and create conflict among recreation groups. Supporters of the proposed changes, such as Kerry White of Citizens for Balanced Use, argue that the revisions would improve access for recreation and accommodate people with disabilities or the elderly who rely on motorized vehicles to access public lands. White claimed the changes would not lead to environmental degradation, stating that existing regulations would prevent harmful activities like strip malls or open-pit mining in forested areas. Opponents, including Eisen and Edgington, argue that the proposed changes align with a broader trend of rolling back environmental protections, including modifications to the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. They emphasized the importance of maintaining policies that ensure the sustainability of public lands for future generations. Edgington noted that the restoration efforts on the Middle Fork of the Judith River were funded by federal sources and could be jeopardized if protections are weakened.