Click here for our recent newsletter about some of the issues facing America’s public lands.
This week’s news and notes for Run Tucson folks from around the country
We love all types of running, whether on the roads, on track, or the trail. For those who run (or hike) on trails, though, some changes may be afoot due to forthcoming legislative and executive actions that will impact your ability to hike, run, and race on public lands.
1) Last week the United States Department of Agriculture announced its plans to rescind the so-called Roadless Rule, a 25-year-old policy that protects millions of acres of National Forest land from road building, large-scale logging, and other uses.
See below for details and possible action steps, including an August 29th podcast event in Tucson with the group “Keep Parks Public.”
2) In terms of local concerns, the City of Tucson is changing the payment method for lap swim at local pools — see the details below.
3) Also locally, the non-profit running club Southern Arizona Roadrunners have announced the Last Call for applications for their Children’s Fitness Fund. Click here for details on funding opportunities for local youth fitness.
4) And, finally, in part to highlight the upcoming National Public Lands Day, we’re holding a free social run with ASICS and The Running Shop on Tuesday, September 8th at Reid Park. Details farther below.
—
1) Submit a Comment: You can submit directly to the Federal Government through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov, identified by docket number FS-2025-0001 or RIN 0596-AD66. Follow the instructions for sending comments. See https://www.regulations.gov/document/FS-2025-0001-223869?mc_cid=201f64bb88&mc_eid=21498cb85f
Here is a link to a detailed public letter — perhaps modify and send your own.
2) Contact your local Senators and Representatives and ask them to pressure the Trump administration to not move forward with the recission.
- For example, Senators Kelly and Gallego in Arizona have publicly opposed the move, while Tucson-area Rep. Grijalva posted this July statement.
- Rep. Ciscomani has not made any public comment that we can find. You can contact him here.
3) Submit a Comment Through Runners for Public Lands: Click here to make your own comment through Runners For Public Lands.
Info from https://runnersforpubliclands.org/roadless-rule/
and