Washington's roadless forests face new threat

The Roadless Rule protects roughly 2 million acres of some of the state's national forests.

Its repeal could open those areas to more roadbuilding and logging.

For Seattle-area residents, the affected lands aren't obscure corners of the state.

Roadless areas include popular destinations around Washington Pass, Baker Lake, Lake Chelan and Quinault Lake, as well as 231 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.

The protections also extend beyond recreation: Leavenworth, Kittitas County and other Washington communities rely on drinking water from forests protected by the rule, according to the Washington Trails Association.