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 4middle half 4–4 · 1 scored

Topics raised

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

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-554631
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I ask you to avoid this change. This is a move that could be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history, at a time when the rivers are just starting to recover. Healthy rivers in remote areas feed the rivers that provide water for the whole country. If it's poisoned at the top, it will be poisoned everywhere. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. Please reconsider this action, and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Sincerely, Daniel Blanchat 3307 Colby Cove Dr Maryville, TN 37801 db+americanrivers@djcmb.com Sincerely, Daniel Blanchat
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-554740
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I am telling you explicitly to resist making this change. This is a move that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in United States history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. So, pretty please with sugar on top, you must reconsider this action. You must keep keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Thanks In Advance. I know you have the courage to make the right decision! -Steve Sincerely, Steve Krajewski 1646 Price Ave Knoxville, TN 37920 gradientmapper@gmail.com Sincerely, Steve Krajewski
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-554796
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear The Tennessee wilderness areas we enjoy living in and recreating in have been protected in part by the Roadless Rule. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. Please reconsider this action, and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Thank you, Geri Fox and family Deer Lodge, TN Sincerely, Geri Fox 115 White Creek Ct Deer Lodge, TN 37726 gfox@permitsfast.com Sincerely, Geri Fox
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-556440
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I urge you to resist making this change. Such a move, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical sources of drinking water. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. I call on you, therefore, to reconsider the proposed action. Instead, keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Thank you. Sincerely, Mary Ames 30657 Sky Terrace Dr Temecula, CA 92592 amesink@earthlink.net Sincerely, Mary Ames
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-557249
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Do not roll back the 2001 Roadless Rule. In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I ask you to not make this change. Removing this rule would be the largest loss of protections for wild TAXPAYER OWNED federal lands in U.S. history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation’s most critical drinking water sources. It has protected habitat and has protected federal lands for future purposes. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. Please reconsider this action, and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country.
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-539418
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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 13 submissions in its group.
In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I ask you to resist making this change. This is a move that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history. We, the people of this country, love this country, and we are doing our power to protect public lands from being exploited for commercialism. There are alternatives that the public can voice because the administration is not giving the people a chance to participate in the dialogue. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation’s most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. Time and time again, there was no Tribal consultation with Tribal Nations when constructing roads that could damage their ancestral sites, trail routes, and contaminate their natural resources. As Tribes have sovereign jurisdiction over land and resources, and sovereign rights to participate in conservation and decision-making of implementing a road. Please reconsider this action and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, Tribal jurisdiction, and wildlife across the country.
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-542351
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, please do not make this change. We must protect our rivers on federal lands. This move would be devastating to our natural resources and recreational areas. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Please reconsider this action, and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Sincerely, William Iorio 2413 Altura Drive Signal Mountain, TN 37377 billiorio@gmail.com Sincerely, William Iorio
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-551219
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I ask you to resist making this change. This is a move that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers and forests on federal lands in U.S. history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. The wilderness is a resources that is unique to the United States and it's protections are elemental to who we are as a nation. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents in Colorado,Georgia and Montana. I emphatically request that you reconsider this action, and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, national forests and wildlife across the country. Sincerely, Jenny Rae 2912 Cottonwood Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225 jennyleerae@gmail.com Sincerely, Jenny Rae
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-551390
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to this U.S. Department of Agriculture's ill-conceived announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I urge you to resist making this change. This is a move that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. This has been an undeniable success story!! It should not be decommissioned! Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. Please, reconsider this action and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant and remarkably successful protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across this country. Sincerely, Ronald Thuemler 2517 W. Jean Street Tampa, FL 33614 math@tampabay.rr.com Sincerely, Miss Ronald Thuemler
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-551496
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear Be courageous! The USDA's announcement of a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule is an evil waiting to happen. I ask you to veto this change profoundly. This is a move that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and many others. Keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Sincerely, Valerie Bishop 770 Holston Creek Church Road Inman, SC 29349 valerie.bishop@charter.net Sincerely, Valerie Bishop
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-551762
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I urge you to not make this change. This is a move that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. Reject this action, and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife nationwide. Sincerely, Jennifer Nitz 3329 Ruby St Franklin Pk, IL 60131 grizzalo@hotmail.com Sincerely, Jennifer Nitz
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-551807
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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 13 submissions in its group.
Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I ask you to please resist making this change. This is a proposal that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history. For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, CO, Atlanta GA, and Bozeman ID. Please, Keep the Roadless Rules in place. It is a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Sincerely, Larry Wiley 1189 Bordeaux St Livermore, CA 94550 lgwiley@comcast.net Sincerely, Dr. Larry Wiley
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Sep 28, 2026FS-2025-0001-486037
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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.
I am opposed to any rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman.
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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.
Media inquiries welcome — nicholas@wanderingnature.com.