Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Mark Miller to testify on legality and impacts of the federal Roadless Rule
May 20, 2026
Washington, D.C.; May 20, 2026: Pacific Legal Foundation Director of Environment and Natural Resources Litigation Mark Miller will testify before the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Lands on Thursday, May 21, during a legislative hearing on H.R. 7695, legislation introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman to nullify the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
The hearing comes as lawmakers revisit the future of the 2001 Roadless Rule, which restricts road construction and infrastructure development across nearly 60 million acres of national forestland.
Miller’s testimony will focus on:
Why the Roadless Rule exceeds the USDA’s delegated authority,
The policy consequences of restricting access and infrastructure in national forests, and
The Rule’s real-world impact on rural and remote communities.
As part of his testimony, Miller will highlight Pacific Legal Foundation’s representation of Inside Passage Electric Cooperative in its lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture. The cooperative provides electricity to approximately 2,400 Alaska Native residents living on remote islands within the Tongass National Forest, where Roadless Rule restrictions have significantly increased the cost and difficulty of pursuing geothermal and hydroelectric energy projects.
What: House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Federal Lands legislative hearing on H.R. 7695
Who: Mark Miller, Director of Environment and Natural Resources Litigation, Pacific Legal Foundation
When: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 10:15 a.m. ET
Where: Longworth House Office Building | Room 1324
Livestream: youtube.com/watch?v=w6Ww33uuXBo
Expected topics:
• The legality of the 2001 Roadless Rule
• Infrastructure and access restrictions in national forests
• Impacts on rural and remote communities
• Forest management and wildfire concerns
• Energy development and federal permitting delays
If you are interested in speaking with Mark Miller before or after the hearing, please contact .
Documents
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About Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans threatened by government overreach and abuse. Since our founding in 1973, we challenge the government when it violates individual liberty and constitutional rights. With active cases in 34 states plus Washington, D.C., PLF represents clients in state and federal courts, with 18 wins of 20 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.