The Public Record · Docket FS-2025-0001

Read the comments.

Every public comment on the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule, sorted by what it talks about. Pick a topic, then narrow by position, by how hard the comment is for the agency to set aside, or by how substantive it is. Each comment is shown in full, as filed. How comments are classified and scored is explained in the Comment Analysis.

1 unique comments22 submissions

Position

Opposes rescission 100.0%

Answerability

A1 strong 0
A2 moderate 0
A3 weak 0
A0 none 1

Substance /24

Median 9middle half 9–9 · 1 scored

Topics raised

22 submissions in this letter's group · showing 1–20Clear all filters

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Sep 21, 2026FS-2025-0001-448920
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. Please preserve these areas for my grandchildren and the future! 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-426951
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. There needs to be places that are sacrosanct, and not paved for profits! 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-427879
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I fully support, believe in and promote the following words: 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-429776
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. O IMPEACH TREASONOUS trump IMMEDIATELY!!! 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-431136
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Stop destroying our planet... 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-433878
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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 Service’s 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, 161–162). 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. Thank you for your time and consideration. 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-434115
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. Kind Regards, Sheila Miller 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 12/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-434514
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. As a biologist and former Forest Service employee, 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 25, 2026FS-2025-0001-269017
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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 hereby urge the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Respectfully, CS Jung 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 25, 2026FS-2025-0001-269961
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. Thank you for considering my perspective. 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 24, 2026FS-2025-0001-261998
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. Doug Sweet, Portland, Oregon 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 24, 2026FS-2025-0001-264083
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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 ruin habitat. We can share. 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 23, 2026FS-2025-0001-260759
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. IMPEACH TREASONOUS trump IMMEDIATELY!!! 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-248930
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.This comment stands for all 22 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Stop destroying our planet... 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-249353
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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, Dr. Douglas and Mr. Darwin Zook 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-249405
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. Protections should be expanded NOT reduced or infringed upon! 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
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-250000
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Don act like Trump. 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-250790
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. Thank you, John Craig 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-251580
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Protect our Wildlife and Water Quality! 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
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 9/24Aug 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-251883
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 22 submissions in its group.
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. We find this action a disaster. 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
Full analysis of this comment →

Sharing & methodology

These results are meant to be shared.

Please cite us. This analysis is the intellectual property of Roadless.org and Nicholas Holshouser. You are welcome to reproduce it — every reproduction must include this citation:

Roadless.org and Nicholas Holshouser, “2001 Roadless Rule Revision — Substantive Analysis,” https://roadless.org.

How it works. A large language model (an open-weight Qwen3.8 model) reads each substantive comment and copies, word for word, the passages that carry its analytical gap, evidence, request, alternative and connection to the place; it returns no scores. Code grades those passages 0–3 on eight dimensions — evidence, legal grounding, engagement with the environmental analysis, analytical gaps, alternatives, specific requests, position, and local knowledge — with legal grounding taken from a citation scan, not the model. For the strongest tenth on each side, the copied passages are checked against the comment and shown as exhibits. A comment counts as “substantive” when it clears a floor filter — it must show at least one substantive signal (a named entity, a specific citation, a stated analytical deficiency, or first-person testimony), which screens out one-line and purely conclusory submissions before any model scoring.

The full method. Every step, why it is done that way, its known limits and a glossary: Methodologies →

The data. The full canonical dataset — every comment on Docket FS-2025-0001 — is available from Regulations.gov's bulk download, the canonical source: https://www.regulations.gov/bulkdownload. Download the CSV directly (Regulations.gov keeps this link working until October 18, 2026): https://bulk-downloads.regulations.gov/mv4-z8fw-q5jx.csv.

Roadless.org — analysis of the public comment docket.
Media inquiries welcome — nicholas@wanderingnature.com.