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 comments14 submissions

Position

Opposes rescission 100.0%

Answerability

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

Substance /24

Median 4middle half 4–4 · 1 scored

Topics raised

14 submissions in this letter's group · showing 1–14Clear all filters

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-427827
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
If you remember correctly, an elected official is a public servant which means doing what is best for your constituents. I hope you and your colleagues have the honor and integrity to act within this guideline. I am contacting you to let you know that I strongly oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Laurie Luther Estes Park, CO
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-408606
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
If you remember correctly, an elected official is a public servant which means doing what is best for your constituents. I hope you and your colleagues have the honor and integrity to act within this guideline. I am contacting you to let you know that I strongly oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Laurie Luther Estes Park, CO
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-412112
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
Hello, my name is Zion McCallister. I am a 20 year old college student and I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I also believe the Trump administration needs to consider that these constant threats to our wildlife is affecting my generation and causing us to not have a desire to ever have kids of our own. Moreover, the roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Zion McCallister Portsmouth, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-415432
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. LEAVE THE LAND, TREES, ANIMALS AND WATER ALONE. Protect it not destroy it. We dont need more timber, mining or roads thru it. Leave nature alone and let it be. Stop being greedy against the world! Sincerely, Jennifer H Woodbridge, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-376657
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. LEAVE THE LAND, TREES, ANIMALS AND WATER ALONE. Protect it not destroy it. We dont need more timber, mining or roads thru it. Leave nature alone and let it be. Stop being greedy against the world! Sincerely, Jennifer H Woodbridge, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-382856
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
Hello, my name is Zion McCallister. I am a 20 year old college student and I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I also believe the Trump administration needs to consider that these constant threats to our wildlife is affecting my generation and causing us to not have a desire to ever have kids of our own. Moreover, the roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Zion McCallister Portsmouth, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-383831
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. LEAVE THE LAND, TREES, ANIMALS AND WATER ALONE. Protect it not destroy it. We dont need more timber, mining or roads thru it. Leave nature alone and let it be. Stop being greedy against the world! Sincerely, Jennifer H Woodbridge, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-386322
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. LEAVE THE LAND, TREES, ANIMALS AND WATER ALONE. Protect it not destroy it. We dont need more timber, mining or roads thru it. Leave nature alone and let it be. Stop being greedy against the world! Sincerely, Jennifer H Woodbridge, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-390540
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
Hello, my name is Zion McCallister. I am a 20 year old college student and I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I also believe the Trump administration needs to consider that these constant threats to our wildlife is affecting my generation and causing us to not have a desire to ever have kids of our own. Moreover, the roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Zion McCallister Portsmouth, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-395369
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
If you remember correctly, an elected official is a public servant which means doing what is best for your constituents. I hope you and your colleagues have the honor and integrity to act within this guideline. I am contacting you to let you know that I strongly oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Laurie Luther Estes Park, CO
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-396195
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
Hello, my name is Zion McCallister. I am a 20 year old college student and I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I also believe the Trump administration needs to consider that these constant threats to our wildlife is affecting my generation and causing us to not have a desire to ever have kids of our own. Moreover, the roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Zion McCallister Portsmouth, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-397462
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. LEAVE THE LAND, TREES, ANIMALS AND WATER ALONE. Protect it not destroy it. We dont need more timber, mining or roads thru it. Leave nature alone and let it be. Stop being greedy against the world! Sincerely, Jennifer H Woodbridge, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 13, 2026FS-2025-0001-375630
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 14 submissions in its group.
Hello, my name is Zion McCallister. I am a 20 year old college student and I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I also believe the Trump administration needs to consider that these constant threats to our wildlife is affecting my generation and causing us to not have a desire to ever have kids of our own. Moreover, the roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Zion McCallister Portsmouth, VA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-366585
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
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 14 submissions in its group.
Hello, my name is Zion McCallister. I am a 20 year old college student and I oppose the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I also believe the Trump administration needs to consider that these constant threats to our wildlife is affecting my generation and causing us to not have a desire to ever have kids of our own. Moreover, the roadless areas in our national forests are an American treasure. For a quarter century, the Roadless Rule has protected them from roadbuilding and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas for future generations. The Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule threatens all these benefits. This rollback would harm forests like the Tongass National Forest, where the Roadless Rule protects over 9 million acres of the 17-million-acre forest from industrial logging and damaging roadbuilding.     Although the proposed repeal is being justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.  In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down bigger, old trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting. Since older trees absorb and store more carbon than their younger counterparts, it is especially important that we keep these forests standing right now while we have the greatest ability to mitigate climate change.    Forests are not a crop to be used to line the pockets of industry executives. They sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water; provide recreational opportunities; and absorb and store carbon, helping us to fight climate change. Carving up these forests with roads and logging means we lose those benefits. These lands belong to all Americans, not the timber industry. The pristine lands protected by the Roadless Rule provide an extraordinary landscape for numerous backcountry recreation activities; sustain sensitive fish, bird and wildlife species that need these intact ecosystems to survive; provide subsistence to Tribes; and provide clean, clear drinking water for communities. Without protection for these roadless lands, all of those benefits will be jeopardized. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect our forests. Sincerely, Zion McCallister Portsmouth, VA
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.