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 comments21 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

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

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 7, 2026FS-2025-0001-600141
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. The wilderness is a sacred place for me and most Americans and keeping it wild is one of the most important things we can do, Sincerely, Andrew Forward
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 7, 2026FS-2025-0001-602634
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I am extremely concerned about the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. Please stop this senseless destruction of our precious protected land with its fragile ecosystem that feeds wild animals as well as providing support for remaining old growth, offering a buffer to potential wildfires. We humans need a place to This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. Take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Colleen Stewart OR
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 7, 2026FS-2025-0001-606155
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Throughout my life, I’ve spent substantial time in our national forests. From Pisqah in North Carolina, Shawnee in Illinois, and Wilamette in Oregon, these spaces are what they are because of their desolation. They are made up of incredibly important ecosystems that need to be protected. They do not need more roads simply for corporate greed.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-585858
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. The world's clean water supply is already in crisis, and any actions furthering the depletion of this precious resource are criminally thoughtless to the future of not just this world's human population, but all its varied and complex ecosystems, as well. Wealth will not matter when there is no more clean water to buy. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes (whose lives and traditions are already greatly marginalized), and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Annah Burt OR
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-585874
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. It is important that our administration does everything they can to help the American people and conserve the American lands. Revoking the roadless rule puts a burden on the taxpayers and our fresh water resources, which are already being quickly depleted. I strongly believe that America can be great again if we protect what used to be sacred to us. Sincerely, Anvita Bansal WI
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-586004
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
Protecting wild places for current and future generations is imperative for our quality of life and survival. This is why I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Dana Knudsen CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-594578
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I do not want my public lands destroyed for privatized wealth enrichment. I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Jacob Vanderlinde OR
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-555687
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
We don’t have much biodiversity left. It is critical that we protect the little but we still have. Once we lose it, it’s gone forever and we need thriving ecosystems for our lives on this planet. I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Eva Frye CA
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-558786
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
As an outdoor educator, wilderness guide, human development researcher, and overall backcountry steward, I know first hand and through the experience of others how vital our wild areas are for humanity. Our connection to these areas is transformative for our healthy lifetime development. I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Tessa Stadeli OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-535748
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
Please honor our Treasured Wildlife by protecting their habitat! Nature gives generously and we must meet it at least halfway by protecting the Natural World! I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Bonnie MacRaith CA
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-538905
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. Please. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. If there is any benefit, it's short term. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Robin Fletcher OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-540476
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
Our National Forests capture and filter drinking water for around 180 million Americans along with providing important wildlife habitat and more. This is why I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Look at the research, don't rely on info from logging interests. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Ms. Jenny Holmes OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-541515
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I vehemently oppose the USDA’s proposed elimination, weakening , or alteration of the Roadless Rule. This careless action would heavily impact Oregon public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. I used to live in Portland, Oregon, and my favorite thing about the state is the wild spaces still available to the public. Once they are destroyed, they take generations to recover. This feels personal to me because of all the wonderful memories I have of experiences in Oregon’s woods and waterways.The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. I still continue to take vacations in Oregon because of the beauty of the wildlife. Oregon has a made a name for itself for being a tourist destination and it doesn’t make sense economically to destroy its most valuable asset. Outside of the economic foolishness, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Oregons floods are getting worse. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. Sincerely, Olivia Page CA
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-541887
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. There's countless species who live in these ecosystems who are threatened by the edge effects and require a cohesive, un-fragmented ecosystem in order to thrive. Developing roads further will directly impact these species and continue to degrade the ecosystems that we require in order for us and other living creatures to thrive. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Fiona Connelly OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-545752
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Oregon’s roadless areas are super important to me. Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and so much more are made all the more special by being able to explore the untouched. It’s a part of life that’s truly special and should be protected. Sincerely, Hannah Clark OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-545767
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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 21 submissions in its group.
“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” — Ancient Greek Proverb To borrow from Mark Twain: Guard & Protect our National and State Parks/Forests, shore lines, rivers, lakes, and wild lands. They are not being made anymore. I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Mr. Harry Freiberg OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-545800
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Also places like Bears Ears, Grand Staircase are irreplaceable and should be left completely alone! Sincerely, George Hamilton OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-546070
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
Trees are aquifers, they hold the water and the soil in the ground, where it belongs, not in the creeks rivers, estuaries and bays only to be dredged, again. Corporate greed is giving away all our natural resources to some Third World foreign country, not to American interests. Take care of the billions of acres of tree farms that are in total neglect… I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Mr. Loren Fennell OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-550148
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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 21 submissions in its group.
As a resident of the Columbia Gorge, I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. It would place many of our most treasured places at risk. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Sheila Dooley OR
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Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Oct 4, 2026FS-2025-0001-550404
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 21 submissions in its group.
I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate, weaken, or alter the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate our public lands, waste taxpayer resources, and undermine the clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities that millions of Americans depend on. The agency should take Alternative 1, the No Action alternative, and leave current roadless protections in place. My greatest concern is health: degradation of water, soil and air would negatively affect human as well as animals, for generations. The economics of these attacks on the Roadless Rule do not add up. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used. At the same time, logging roadless forests degrades essential services that our economy already relies on. National Forests supply drinking water to millions of people, support a multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation industry, preserve sacred sites and traditional foods, and provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat and carbon storage. Sacrificing these values for short-term logging profits is not sound policy. It is a net loss for communities, economies, and future generations. Beyond the economic folly, the environmental consequences are severe. Roadless forests represent some of the most intact, resilient ecosystems left in our country. They filter and store clean water, provide refuge for vulnerable species, and serve as critical carbon sinks in the fight against climate change. Once roads and clearcuts fragment these landscapes, the damage is permanent. More roads in the backcountry also mean more fires: research shows wildfires are four times more likely to ignite near roads. Fighting those fires in remote areas is dangerous, costly, and diverts resources from protecting communities. Roads also spread invasive species, fragment wildlife habitat, and erode the very ecological resilience we need in the face of a warming climate. The Roadless Rule already includes exceptions for emergencies such as wildfire, and rescinding the Roadless Rule for the stated purpose is unnecessary and dangerous. Equally troubling is the USDA’s decision to pursue this rollback through an abridged and inadequate public comment process. The original Roadless Rule was created after the most extensive public engagement process in the history of federal rulemaking, with over 95% of commenters supporting strong protections. During last fall’s comment period on the Notice of Intent, over 600,000 Americans submitted public comments, with over 99% of comments opposing the proposed rescission of the rule. Now, the agency is attempting to dismantle these protections through a rushed process that limits and ignores input from citizens, scientists, Tribes, and local communities. This is undemocratic and deeply irresponsible for decisions of such sweeping consequence. For more than two decades, the Roadless Rule has been a cornerstone of sound forest management, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural values. Weakening or repealing it would be a grave mistake. Both Alternatives 2 and 3 will have severe consequences for wildlife, biodiversity, clean water sources, climate resilience, cultural resources, local economies, outdoor recreation, and the health of our nation's wildest forests. I urge the USDA to abandon this misguided effort and instead strengthen its commitment to protecting America’s roadless forests. I hope the agency will take the No Action alternative and maintain full Roadless Rule protections for America's wild forests. Sincerely, Dr. Trudie Atkinson OR
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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.