SR1029: SR1029 Roadless Area Conservation Rule; recognize; United States Forest Service; commend

This resolution does not change any law. It recognizes the 25th anniversary of the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a 2001 regulation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that limits roadbuilding and development on nearly 45 million acres of national forest land nationwide, including more than 63,000 acres in north Georgia's Blue Ridge mountains. The resolution lists reasons the Georgia Senate values these roadless areas: they support drinking water for more than 3.3 million Georgians, sustain trout streams and wildlife habitat, contribute an estimated $130 million a year and nearly 2,000 jobs through outdoor recreation, and help guard against wildfires, which mostly start near roads. The Senate resolves to formally acknowledge the rule's continued importance in Georgia and commend the U.S. Forest Service's management of these lands. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to send copies to the Forest Service, the public, and the press.

• Formally recognizes the 25th anniversary of the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule as it applies to Georgia's national forest land.
• States the Senate's support for the rule's continued application to roadless areas in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
• Commends the United States Forest Service for its management of Georgia's roadless areas.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the Forest Service, the public, and the press.

The resolution touches the United States Forest Service, communities near the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and Hiawassee, downstream water users in cities like Rome, Augusta, Savannah, and metro Atlanta, and Georgians who hunt, fish, or visit the national forest for recreation.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it creates no new rules or funding, but it puts the Georgia Senate on record supporting the existing federal Roadless Rule, which limits roadbuilding in areas tied to drinking water, wildfire risk, and outdoor recreation economies in north Georgia.

• The preamble ('whereas' clauses) describes the Roadless Rule's history since 2001 and its coverage of nearly 45 million acres nationwide.
• Notes that over 63,000 of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest's 867,000 acres are designated roadless areas in north Georgia.
• Cites Forest Service estimates that national forest visitors bring about $130 million annually and support nearly 2,000 local jobs in Georgia.
• States that these areas supply drinking water to over 3.3 million Georgians, including specific nearby and downstream communities.
• The resolving clause formally commends the Forest Service and affirms the rule's continued importance in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the Forest Service, the public, and the press.

1. 2026-03-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)Primary sponsor
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)

• conservation
• national forests
• roadless areas
• water quality
• outdoor recreation