The National Forests on the Edge study estimates that between 2000 and 2030, a substantial increase in housing density will occur on more than 21.7 million acres (8 percent) of rural private lands located within 10 miles of national forests and grasslands across the conterminous United States.

The nine national forests most affected will see increased housing development on at least 25 percent of the private lands within one or more of the three distances studied. Three of these national forests are in the West, while the others are located in the East. The Bitterroot National Forest in Idaho and Montana ranks highest in the nation, with projected housing density increases occurring on 42 percent of the private lands within 10 miles of the forest boundary. Click here to see the table.

Thirteen national forests and grasslands are projected to have more than a half-million acres of adjacent private rural lands experience increased housing density. Click here to view table.