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I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. This includes a couple hundred thousand acres of the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County where I live. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. WHAT ELSE IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GOING TO RUIN? SOMEONE HAS JUST GOTTEN A BIG PAYOFF, I THINK, AND IT'S NOT THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roads open areas to all kinds of poaching and destruction. We need to protect what roadless areas remain. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2 If we do not support this ruling, many species will become extinct. Caryl Fazio

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For crying out loud, the wilderness needs to stay wilderness. Please stop allowing the degradation and ruin the miraculous landscape of America. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Cut through Mar al lago instead, respect truly valuable wilderness areas. or nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. The proposal to rescind the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). I am writing to ask that the U.S. Forest Service please withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. Thank you for all you can do to safeguard the health of our natural world and, thereby, our own health. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2 We must protect this planet and everything on it or we will fail to meet our moral obligations to the generations that follow.

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Our children, and your children, depend upon the positive environmental action we take TODAY. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. This land belongs to THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. NOT TRUMP. NOT BERGUM. BUT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WHAT YOU'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS OUTRAGEOUS AND WE OPPOSE IT. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. PLEASE HELP PROTECT THESE RARE AND NECESSARY SPECIES! The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. DON"T WE ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH WILDFIRES? Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Stop the cruelty. Take care of all living creatures as a priority higher than the billionaires and their fake/plastic facade. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I am a field biologist (PhD) with well over 50 years of professional experience. It is clear that for nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. I have lived in the Colorado mountains for over 60 years and treasure our wild areas. The ecosystem is perfectly balanced and healthy under the current rules. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE THE U.S. Forest services proposal to rescind the 2001 roadless area conservation act, implemented by George W. Bush. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2

I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Natural places with no roads define the deepest beauty of our incredible WILD America...America the REALLY beautiful! For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected some of America's most important remaining wild forests from road construction, logging, and other forms of industrial development. Rescinding the rule would remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of national forest lands, opening intact wildlife habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Roadless areas are essential for the recovery and long-term survival of many imperiled species. The Forest Services preliminary biological assessment determined that rescinding the Roadless Rule is likely to adversely affect 327 threatened and endangered species and 71 designated critical habitats (p. 25, 161162). In the Northern Rockies, these lands provide some of the highest-value habitat connections for grizzly bears. Approximately 7.7 million acres of Roadless Areas fall within the most important connectivity pathways for female grizzly bears, and 6.7 million acres fall within the highest-value pathways for male bears. These areas represent nearly half of the habitat needed to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations and support their continued recovery. In the Southern Appalachians, roadless forests help protect the clean, cold streams required by eastern hellbenders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified sedimentation from human activities as a primary threat to hellbender populations. Intact forest cover helps prevent erosion, maintain water quality, and preserve the rocky stream habitat hellbenders depend on. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests support some of the strongest remaining hellbender populations, demonstrating the importance of protecting these largely undeveloped public lands. The Forest Service has argued that rescinding the Roadless Rule could help address wildfire risk, but recent peer-reviewed research suggests otherwise. A 2026 study found that wildfires are approximately four times more likely to ignite near roads than in roadless areas. Roads increase human access and human-caused ignition sources, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and vehicle-related sparks. Opening intact backcountry forests to additional road construction is not a sound wildfire prevention strategy. Roadless areas protect wildlife, clean water, climate resilience, and ecological connectivity. Once roads are built, habitat fragmentation and ecosystem impacts can persist for decades. At a time when biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to threaten wildlife across the United States, the Forest Service should be strengthening protections for roadless areas rather than eliminating them. I urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. References: U.S. Forest Service. Roadless Areas. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless U.S. Forest Service. Draft EIS. https://usfs-public.app.box.com/s/gomzq6rruwsds8rw50o3j3g429utj8f6/file/2415112742244 Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), Version 2.1, 2024. https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/263350 U.S. Forest Service. Becoming the Hellbender. National Forests in North Carolina, March 18, 2025. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/newsroom/stories/becoming-hellbender Belote, R.T., et al. (2026). Human access and wildfire ignition patterns in roaded and roadless forests. Fire Ecology, 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42408-026-00450-2