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 comments17 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

17 submissions in this letter's group · showing 1–17Clear all filters

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-574474
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-574520
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-574893
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-576089
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-581590
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-581615
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2025-0001-223869 Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-583949
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-584044
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-586934
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule. Shane
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-588659
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 6, 2026FS-2025-0001-589029
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567190
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 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567297
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567439
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567497
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567603
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24Oct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-567941
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 17 submissions in its group.
Please do not rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule is integral to maintaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat and provides irreplaceable recreation opportunities for Americans. This rule was overwhelmingly popular when it was put in place and remains so today. The Roadless Rule was developed through one of the largest public participation efforts in federal land management history, generating approximately 1.6 million public comments, 99% of which were in support of the rule. Roadless does not mean unmanaged and this current rule does not prohibit hunting, fishing, grazing, recreation, habitat restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation, mining, or access to valid existing rights. Adding roads to an already overloaded maintenance backlog does not make fiscal sense and is a bad deal for wildlife and people alike. USFS currently manages approximately 370,000 miles of roads and faces a deferred maintenance backlog of roughly $10.8 billion, with ~55% of that backlog tied to roads alone. The idea that building roads into the backcountry will help with fire suppression is unsupported and in fact will lead to more fires. Keep this rule in place so that future generations of Americans can enjoy the wilds that define our country. I respectfully urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place. Don't bulldoze the backcountry. Defend the Roadless Rule.
Full analysis of this comment →

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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.

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