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 comments12 submissions

Position

Opposes rescission 100.0%

Answerability

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

Substance /24

Median 1middle half 1–1 · 1 scored

Topics raised

12 submissions in this letter's group · showing 1–12Clear all filters

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-428071
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-408696
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-382159
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-390089
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-395434
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 13, 2026FS-2025-0001-375151
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-343790
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-346952
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-350576
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-361023
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 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-362947
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-366169
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 12 submissions in its group.
I support keeping our roadless areas as they are -- roadless. This helps to protect our natural heritage that belongs to all Americans. Our nation was founded upon a wild and remote continent, and we lose so much as that continues to disappear. Our wild and roadless lands are our heritage. They are what our ancestors saw in America. The roadless lands in the national forests are an American treasure. For decades the Roadless Rule has protected them from roads and logging, preserving irreplaceable wildlife habitats, sources of clean water, and recreation areas. The roll back on roadless lands is justified in part as a wildfire-prevention measure. That is a lie. Peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roads will only increases wildfire ignitions. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads.  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, Joel Despain Bella Vista, CA
Full analysis of this comment →

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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.
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