About This Website

Understanding the Research Briefcase System

What This Website Does

This website helps you submit powerful, fact-based comments to defend the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Unlike typical comment forms, this site includes a Research Briefcase - a unique tool that helps you collect important facts while browsing and then automatically insert them into your comment.

Why This Matters

Regulatory agencies receive thousands of comments, but fact-based comments carry much more weight than simple opinions. The Research Briefcase helps you build the kind of substantive, credible comment that regulators actually consider when making decisions.

How the Research Briefcase Works

The Research Briefcase is a powerful tool that helps you collect important facts while browsing and then insert them into your comment to make it more persuasive and fact-based. Think of it as your personal research assistant for building the strongest possible comment.

Why Use the Briefcase?

Complete Workflow: From Research to Submission

Browse and Save Facts

Start by exploring the key facts and news pages. When you see important information, click the Save button next to it.

Pro Tip: Save 5-10 diverse facts that support different aspects of your argument (water, wildlife, economics, fire safety, etc.)

Go to Comment Form

Navigate to the Guided Comment Submission page. You'll see your saved research count in the Use My Saved Research button.

Write Your Personal Story

Start by writing your personal connection to roadless forests in the comment box:

As a [hiker/parent/water user], I depend on roadless forests for [clean water/recreation/wildlife viewing]. These irreplaceable areas...

Insert Your Saved Facts

Click "Use My Saved Research" to open your briefcase. You'll see a preview of all saved facts and can choose to insert them into your comment.

Review and Submit

Your comment now combines your personal story with credible research. Fill in your contact information and submit through the guided process.

Briefcase Features Explained

Save Buttons

Look for these buttons throughout the site next to important facts, statistics, and quotes. Clicking them instantly saves the information to your briefcase.

Floating Counter

The briefcase icon in the bottom-right shows how many items you've saved. Click it to see a preview of your collected research.

Smart Organization

Each saved item includes:

Session Storage

Your briefcase is saved to your browser for this session. This means:

Important

Complete your comment in one browser session. If you close your browser or switch devices, you'll need to save your facts again.

Example: Building a Strong Comment

Before Using the Briefcase (Weak Comment)

 "I think the roadless rule is important and should be protected. These forests are nice and logging would be bad." 

After Using the Briefcase (Strong Comment)

 "As a Colorado hiker and parent, I depend on roadless forests for the clean water my family drinks and the pristine trails where I teach my children about nature. These irreplaceable areas must remain protected. Key facts supporting my comment: • Roadless areas provide drinking water to 60+ million Americans through 354 municipal watersheds • 32-year study shows wildfire ignitions 4x MORE likely near roads than in roadless areas • 1.6 million people commented with 95% supporting Roadless Rule protection - most in federal history • USFS has 370,000+ miles of roads with multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog bleeding sediment into streams • 92% of Alaska's Tongass National Forest currently protected by Roadless Rule The science is clear: roadless areas provide essential ecosystem services while roads increase fire risk and water pollution. Please protect these forests for future generations." 

The Difference

The second comment combines personal connection with credible data, making it much more persuasive to regulators who review thousands of comments.