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 comments20 submissions

Position

Opposes rescission 100.0%

Answerability

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

Substance /24

Median 3middle half 3–3 · 1 scored

Topics raised

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

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-591882
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-592494
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-593607
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-593627
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-562796
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.This comment stands for all 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-562850
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-562876
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-562890
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-563235
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-563484
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-563561
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-564597
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-564829
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-564971
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-565940
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-565971
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-566041
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-566187
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567452
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567826
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 20 submissions in its group.
I am commenting to express my strong opposition to the Forest Service's proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule. For the last 25 years, the Roadless Rule has safeguarded some of Georgia's wildest forests from unnecessary roadbuilding and harmful development. Rescinding the rule would harm these incredible public lands, outdoor recreation and the thousands of communities that rely on them. Roadless areas provide measurable and immeasurable benefits. They contribute to clean drinking water to downstream communities, such as Chatsworth, Ellijay, Blairsville, and Hiawassee in north Georgia. Roadless areas are home to cold, crystal-clear trout fishing streams, boast world-class hiking and mountain biking trails, support local businesses, provide habitat for at-risk animal species, and offer unmatched experiences for visitors looking to get away from the noise and commotion of roads. To rescind the Roadless Rule puts all these incredible benefits at risk. While the Forest Service has claimed that eliminating the Roadless Rule will help prevent wildfires, this is not true. Wildfires are four times more likely to start near a road than in a roadless forest. And the Roadless Rule already allows the Forest Service to do wildfire prevention work in roadless areas. In addition, the Forest Service cannot maintain the roads it already has. Roads are expensive to build and maintain, as shown by the agency's current $9 billion road maintenance backlog. Unmaintained roads can lead to landslides and lower water quality, which threatens the health of entire ecosystems. Also, unmaintained roads with perched culverts can block passage of wild fish. The agency can't afford what it has and should not worsen the situation by adding more roads, especially in these spectacularly wild places. I strongly urge you to oppose this reckless proposal and to keep the Roadless Rule in place, so that future generations of hikers, anglers, mountain bikers, hunters, climbers, birders, and paddlers can enjoy these amazing roadless places.
Full analysis of this comment →

Sharing & methodology

These results are meant to be shared.

Please cite us. This analysis is the intellectual property of Roadless.org and Nicholas Holshouser. You are welcome to reproduce it — every reproduction must include this citation:

Roadless.org and Nicholas Holshouser, “2001 Roadless Rule Revision — Substantive Analysis,” https://roadless.org.

How it works. A large language model (an open-weight Qwen3.8 model) reads each substantive comment and copies, word for word, the passages that carry its analytical gap, evidence, request, alternative and connection to the place; it returns no scores. Code grades those passages 0–3 on eight dimensions — evidence, legal grounding, engagement with the environmental analysis, analytical gaps, alternatives, specific requests, position, and local knowledge — with legal grounding taken from a citation scan, not the model. For the strongest tenth on each side, the copied passages are checked against the comment and shown as exhibits. A comment counts as “substantive” when it clears a floor filter — it must show at least one substantive signal (a named entity, a specific citation, a stated analytical deficiency, or first-person testimony), which screens out one-line and purely conclusory submissions before any model scoring.

The full method. Every step, why it is done that way, its known limits and a glossary: Methodologies →

The data. The full canonical dataset — every comment on Docket FS-2025-0001 — is available from Regulations.gov's bulk download, the canonical source: https://www.regulations.gov/bulkdownload. Download the CSV directly (Regulations.gov keeps this link working until October 18, 2026): https://bulk-downloads.regulations.gov/mv4-z8fw-q5jx.csv.

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