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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 choice is a waste of our natural resources, the value of the species protected and supported in these areas is far beyond any dollar value the Forest Service may presume to gain from opening to traffic and sales of resources. 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. Have you ever driven around out West? There are plenty of areas where logging can take place. These areas aren't needed. Get a clue! 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. You don't get to unprotected land. That's why it's protected. More land needs to be protected and not less. We need to reduce and eliminate our impact. 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. 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, Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but a thread within it. What we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. - Chief Seattle 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. They also allow trees and their root systems, which convey nutrients underground, to remain undisturbed, which maintains soil stability and texture. 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. Protection of our wild lands, our forests, ranges and deserts preserves flora and fauna that are often endangered by human encroachment into their spaces. 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 am adamantly opposed to the US Forest Service's proposal & demand that Forest Service leave the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule alone!!!!!!!!!!! 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. Most of all, it is simply not needed. There is no reason to open up these areas. There are plenty of other areas to get what we need. 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. Just because we can do something doesnt mean we should. These wild wonderful places deserve to survive and to continue to be the lungs of our planet and the source of so much life! Please do the right thing! 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. Scientists state that we need to protect 30% of the earth in its natural state to avoid massive extinctions of species. Please start by retaining the 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