Read the comments.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. I love hiking. I don't get to the Appalachian Trail often, but it is still important to me. We need to keep the Roadless Rule so that everyone can enjoy it. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. For our honeymoon in 2021, my wife and I undertook a southbound thruhike of the Appalachian Trail. The Trail's unique landscape and character would have been greatly diminished if the lands we passed through were opened to additional roads. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. The AT is a very special place for me and my family. My son and I are section hiking the entire length and I've backpacked many sections with my lifelong friends. The peace and natural environment that you get being away from civilization, noise, cars, roads is invaluable and should not be taken for granted. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. When I was younger I hiked for a couple days on the AT. It was a wonderful experience in nature that I would not have wanted to be disrupted by traffic on a road with the noise and increased danger from easier access for those with criminal-minded behavior. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. This land is your land this land is my land... this land was meant for you and me... stop taking beautiful and wonderful things from us. Stop destroying. You only care about here and now. No thoughts for anyone else except lining your own pockets with being corrupted by greed. Stop it. Grow a spine. Remember your human and not some mindless greedy machine. At this point being respectful and trying to convince with facts and figures doesn't get through to the majority of congress. I must be direct and blunt. With all respect due to you for what you have given us to respect. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. I section hiked the AT over many seasons between 1999 and 2014, thru-hiked the AT in 2023, and day hike some of its trails in NH and VT, where I live, every year. The vast, remote areas one experiences on the AT are irreplaceable. We should preserve these areas as is for the generations to come of people and wildlife. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. The App trail is such a beautiful and spiritual part of our country. A lot of us are dealing with an immense amount of traffic/ construction and vast wildlife loss. Why disturb one of our greatest treasures? I for one count on these amazing ecosystems to give me peace and solitude when I can get away from the craziness. What about the wildlife, how arrogant do we have to be as a human race to continue to destroy life that has a right to be here just as much as we do. In my opinion, we are not an intelligent species if we keep destroying the ecosystems that we depend on to survive. That brings me to one of our most important resources, WATER.... CLEAN WATER... without it we cannot survive, our children cannot survive and our grandchildren cannot survive. I can't believe we are willing to to continue to disturb/ destroy these areas. As if we don't have enough problems...it's embarrassing to me that humans can't see the bigger picture. Rachell Kazakos I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. I've always loved the A.T., having hiked many sections of it over the years. I plan to do a hike of the entire trail after I retire soon. I want to be able to experience it in its full glory, without the intrusions of new roads in National Forest lands. I also want my kids and their kids to be able to experience what I've experienced. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. I was hiking in Virginia last weekend and even though the trail did not cross the road, near constant nearby road traffic noise drowned out the peaceful noises of nature. It adversely affected my hike and prevented me from detoxing from the stresses of everyday life. I've met numerous people on trails from distant places and their economic impact is eliminated if they can see no advantage to traveling to our wild places. Once it's gone, it's gone for at least 100 years. Don't let the destruction of our nature by your legacy. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. I live in Fannin County, Georgia, where the Appalachian Trail begins. So I have firsthand knowledge of the benefits the trail provides, both to individuals who hike it and economically to the community. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.

Dear Secretary Rollins, I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and reject its proposed rescission. Since 2001, The Roadless Rule has provided consistent land management for our national forests and nearly 50% of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) contained within them. The A.T.'s southern terminus at Springer Mountain begins in an area protected by the Roadless Rule, and approximately 201 miles of the Trail (9% of its length) pass through "inventoried roadless areas." The Roadless Rule helps protect the scenic, natural, and remote qualities that make the A.T. a nationally treasured resource and one of the most visited public land units in the nation The Forest Service's own analysis recognizes that rescission could increase road construction and result in habitat fragmentation, impacts to water resources, increased noise, visible infrastructure, and reduced opportunities for quiet and remote recreation. Changes to these landscapes can affect the A.T. experience even when the Trail's thin corridor itself remains intact. Rescinding the Roadless Rule could also add to an already substantial Forest Service road-maintenance burden. The National Forest System already contains hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which require significant resources to maintain. We should take care of the roads we have before creating additional long-term obligations through new road construction in currently roadless areas. For the A.T., additional roads can also fragment the landscape surrounding the Trail and introduce noise, development, and other impacts that diminish the experience of hiking and visiting the Trail. The A.T. is an American icon and national treasure that warrants the highest level of protection from the federal government. It is both a world-renowned footpath but also deeply personal to me and is my connection to Appalachia. I've hiked 3/4 of the Trail and overturning this ruling would impact some of the Trail's most personally meaningful places that have shaped me, my life, and my connection to civic service. I urge the USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and ensure that any changes to roadless-area management fully account for impacts to the Appalachian Trail, recreation, water resources, wildlife habitat, and the Forest Service's long-term ability to manage its transportation system.