OnX Analysis Challenges Assumptions About US Roadless Areas

The analysis, titled "The Roadless Rule: By the Numbers," comes as federal officials consider lifting long-standing restrictions on logging, mining, and road construction across 37 states. OnX CEO Laura Orvidas noted that the data aims to inform outdoor enthusiasts ahead of an upcoming public comment period. The report highlights that these lands currently support over 17,700 miles of hiking trails and significant wildlife migration corridors, including critical habitat for elk in Wyoming and black bears in New Hampshire.

Beyond recreational utility, the findings address common arguments for rescinding the protections. While critics often cite wildfire risk as a reason to expand road building, the data suggests that only 3% of historical wildfire ignitions over the last half-century occurred within these inventoried areas. Furthermore, the analysis clarifies that "roadless" does not mean inaccessible; these zones already host thousands of miles of motorized trails for ATVs, side-by-sides, and snowmobiles. As the agency prepares its Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the company is encouraging the public to use GPS-backed data and personal field experiences to provide substantive feedback on the potential reclassification of these landscapes.