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 comments13 submissions

Position

Opposes rescission 100.0%

Answerability

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

Substance /24

Median 2middle half 2–2 · 1 scored

Topics raised

13 submissions in this letter's group · showing 1–13Clear all filters

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-552377
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule! There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health. These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas. Be logical here folks, there is no reason why the Roadless Rule should be repealed. Happy Hiking, Hana
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Sep 8, 2026FS-2025-0001-334748
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For goodness sakes, With more than 370,000 miles already cutting through the forests, can the government leave the rest alone? These areas are not grocery stores located on every block in the USA. STOP THE GREED, COLLUSSION and BIG BUSINESS PAYING FOR ACCESS TO WHAT SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE. There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas I AM A REPUBLICAN AND HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THE COLLUSION, GRAFT, EXTORTION, HIGH PRICES, LOWER TAXES FOR THE WEALTHY AND THE DISREGARD FOR THE CONSTITUTION. HOW IS THIS PRESIDENT BULLYING WHAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SMART MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE TO BE WORKING FOR THE WHOLE OF THE COUNTRY? NO MORE REPUBLICAN VOTES FOR ME. SHAME ON THE COWARDICE OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 7, 2026FS-2025-0001-331770
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
Dear US Natl Forest Service/ US Department of Agriculture, I am writing to express my opposition to the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. While, I am concerned about the impact of the repeal on all roadless areas across the U.S., I am especially concerned about impacts along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in California, Oregon, and Washington. There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT, represent roughly 11% of the trail. I recently completed hiking the entire PCT and strongly oppose seeing areas along the trail in the Sierra (e.g., around the Feather River, Bucks, Lake), Southern OR, and the northern Cascades impacted by additional roads and logging. It is important to point out the important service that roadless areas provide: * Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. * These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  * These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. * Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. * The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. * Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. * We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. * Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration in this matter. Regards, Rob C.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Sep 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-313093
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
Do NOT Repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas. Do not give into this administration's political pressure and do the right thing! --Gregory M. Taylor, MD Loma Linda, California
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 3, 2026FS-2025-0001-308762
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
My name is Alan Lau. I am a retired Nephrologist. I have been backpacking for over 30 years. Many of those years were spent backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Arizona Trail, and Long Trail. One cannot place a finite value on our wilderness areas: clean water, sharing our wilderness with all other entities (plants, animals). We are NOT alone and we are NOT independent of our forests. What we do to them directly affects our well being. The native Americans understood this long before the rest of Americans did. •I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. •There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. •Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. •These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  •These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. •Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. •The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. •Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. •We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. •Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Sep 3, 2026FS-2025-0001-311168
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
As an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast with over 5,000 miles of hiking experience in the backcountry, I strongly oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Here are some of the reasons. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 2, 2026FS-2025-0001-302297
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
Please register my opposition to removing any wilderness areas from Roadless Area Protection. I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Aug 28, 2026FS-2025-0001-279151
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 5/24Aug 28, 2026FS-2025-0001-279344
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
Hello, I write to voice my emphatic opposition to rescinding the Roadless Rule for so many reasons. As someone who moved to Oregon from Indiana in 1986, I've been captivated by the power of the forests to sustain life, heal, and provide a place for peaceful recreation. Our wild areas and the creatures that inhabit them are impacted enough by human activities, including extraction, development, etc. The Roadless Rule protects valuable ecosystems, animals, watersheds and more--all valuable not just to forest animals, but to human life as well. In addition: There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. (Read that one again, please!) Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas. This attempt to revoke the Roadless Rule is nothing more than a brutal and greedy land grab. Do not do that. Our earth, our lives, depend on it.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Aug 28, 2026FS-2025-0001-280362
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas. I have personally camped/backpacked many of there trails. It would be detrimental to our wilderness areas if this passed.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Aug 28, 2026FS-2025-0001-280363
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas. I have personally camped/backpacked many of there trails. It would be detrimental to our wilderness areas if this passed.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Aug 28, 2026FS-2025-0001-282595
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 13 submissions in its group.
I object to any changes, primarily because: We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Aug 27, 2026FS-2025-0001-275117
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 13 submissions in its group.
Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas Once these precious spaces are lost there is no going back, they are gone forever. It seemed like our country was evolving over the previous decades but all those decades of work and evolution could be wiped out in the blink of an eye. Think about what we want this country to represent and stand for and what we we want to keep and protect for our children and their children.
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.