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 comments28 submissions

Position

Opposes rescission 100.0%

Answerability

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

Substance /24

Median 6middle half 6–6 · 1 scored

Topics raised

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

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Sep 22, 2026FS-2025-0001-469253
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I strongly oppose any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely daily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I often visit Craggy Gardens near my home in Asheville. Protecting these pristine landscapes is deeply personal to me; I depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, spiritual sanctuary, and protection of precious wildlife . I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Marie Colton Woodard
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Sep 21, 2026FS-2025-0001-454443
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to me because my community depends on these watersheds for clean drinking water. I want those areas available for others to use. I value the pristine wildlife habitats. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Ian Cowie Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 17, 2026FS-2025-0001-443197
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation’s public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. We frequently visit Stone Mountain, Slide Hollow, Big Laurel Branch Addition, and Flint Mill Gap near my home in Gray, TN. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to us because we depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, beautiful fishing experiences, and hiking the backcountry trails. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment.  Sincerely, Dr. T. Patrick Waters
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 17, 2026FS-2025-0001-443209
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation’s public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. We frequently visit Stone Mountain, Slide Hollow, Big Laurel Branch Addition, and Flint Mill Gap near my home in Gray, TN. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to us because we depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, beautiful fishing experiences, and hiking the backcountry trails. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment.  Sincerely, Dr. T. Patrick Waters
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 5/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-417055
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. My husband and I love to visit the areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smokey Mountains, the Appalachian Trail, and other pristine wild areas Benadryl our home in Asheville. NC. This area was ravaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024, and the water and land and wildlife took a beating. Any more destruction by human intrusion, and the natural world will be devastated, and unable to protect us in the event of a future disaster. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Margaret Weaver
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 16, 2026FS-2025-0001-425916
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation’s public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Wilson Creek and Lost Cove areas near my home in Vilas, NC. I am a native of Watauga county and grew up exploring these amazing places. We need to ensure that our future generations have these spaces to enjoy and to remind us of our place on this earth. Protecting these landscapes is deeply personal to me because I value them as pristine wildlife habitats. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Maria Kindt
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-403836
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to weaken or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina and other forests around our nation. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is critical, not only to preserve the beauty they provide us all but also to combat the ever growing climate change concerns. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Alexa Russell
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-407402
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid hiker, naturalist, and advocate for our nation’s public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Craggy Mountain, Laurel Mountain, and Sams Knob areas near my home in Asheville, NC. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to me because I depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, I hike the backcountry trails, and I value the pristine wildlife habitats. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Megan Hester
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-411514
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I have visited the Linville Gorge for more than twenty years as a lifelong North Carolinian. This land is sacred to me as a North Carolinian, and as a descendant of the indigenous people of Appalachia. As a trained Botanist, I can attest to the importance of this land for our region's biodiversity. This and other public lands must be protected from shortsighted attempts to treat them simply as sources of timber. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, [Your Name]
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 15, 2026FS-2025-0001-414957
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Sam Knob roadless area here near my home in Canton, NC. Protecting these intact ecosystems is deeply personal to me because these forests belong to all of us, not just the commerical logging companies. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely,
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 14, 2026FS-2025-0001-376812
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid enjoyer, nature enthusiast and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Linville Gorge near my hometown in Morganton. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to me because I depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, I hike the backcountry trails, and greatly value the pristine wildlife habitats. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Lindsay Sager
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-346007
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the roadless areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest near my home in Asheville, NC. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply important to me for many reasons. There are myriad, but my reliance on the watersheds for clean drinking water, my family and neighbors’ regular hikes on the backcountry trails, and the incalculable value of the untouched natural habitats are a few that top the list. I was born & raised here in Asheville and I believe its identity is strongly rooted in the beauty and purity in which it is nestled. I strongly urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Felicia S. Parker
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-347379
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation’s public lands, I rely on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Pisgah National Forest near my home in Asheville, North Carolina. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is personal to me because I love to hike the backcountry trails and I value the wide range of ecosystems and the pristine wildlife habitats. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment, and for extending it a bit longer. Sincerely, Jennifer Murphy
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-357949
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I visit several of the roadless areas in western North Carolina near my home. I have also visited roadless areas in many other states. Protecting these roadless areas is important to me and all who value the outdoors for recreational, economic and environmental reasons. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment.
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-367851
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I visit Craggy Mountain near my home in Barnardsville. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to me because of their beauty, habitat for unique plants and animals, hiking and hunting, and their practical use as watersheds for our clean drinking water. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Carolyn R
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-371514
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule, and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Melissa Williams
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 12, 2026FS-2025-0001-371563
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As a concerned parent, invested citizen, and an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I cherish the integrity and protection of our roadless areas. I have led backpacking trips and use the Linville Gorge area near my home in West Jefferson, NC. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to me because I depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, I hike the backcountry trails, I value the pristine wildlife habitats, and I want to keep these areas protected for my children and future generations. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Remi Wingo West Jefferson, NC
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 8, 2026FS-2025-0001-336162
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my vehement opposition to ANY efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user of and advocate for ALL of our nation’s public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit many hiking trails and primitive camping areas all over WNC from my home in Black Mtn. and have done so for 38 years now. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to me because I depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, I hike the backcountry trails, and I deeply value the pristine wildlife habitats. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ABANDON the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas!!! Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Clare Noël Nabors
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Sep 1, 2026FS-2025-0001-298933
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my strong opposition to any and all efforts to rescind, remove, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As a regular user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Pisgah National Forest and the Smoky Mountains National Forest near my home in Brevard, NC. Protecting these unfragmented landscapes is deeply personal to me because I depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water, hiking backcountry trails, and value roadless wildlife habitats. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Thomas Bell
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Aug 31, 2026FS-2025-0001-293860
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 28 submissions in its group.
I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user of our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the Croatan National Forest near my home in North Carolina. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. Sincerely, Chris Dowdle
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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: https://www.regulations.gov/bulkdownload.

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