The Public Record · Docket FS-2025-0001

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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 comments58 submissions

Position

Opposes rescission 100.0%

Answerability

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

Substance /24

Median 9middle half 9–9 · 1 scored

Topics raised

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

Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560332
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Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.This comment stands for all 58 submissions in its group.
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 have hiked the trail from Shavers Gap in Tennessee to the New Hampshire Border. I have hiked, canoed, and camped with my family in the George Washington National Forest (a core wilderness area) and in the last remaining old growth forest in North Carolina. We, my family, thrill at the sight of black bears, ospreys, and endless mountain valleys. These places teach me and my family self-reliance, survival skills, and an appreciation for the earth that sustains all life. They also give us adventure, beauty and sanity in an increasingly ugly and chaotic world. Please don't fragment these places! 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.
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Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560361
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. As an urban dweller, I find it essential to have places to escape human-made noises and structures. Rescinding this rule would make these places even harder to find. Especially here on the east coast, where we already have limited opportunities to find this, removing this rule could impact the Appalachian Trail, which traverses the forests which are currently protected from this type of development. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560410
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 through hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2014. Before my hike, I was unsure of where my life was heading. While attending university I came to realize I didn't enjoy my field of study and suddenly found myself adrift. During my hike I met and learned the life stories of some amazing people and was allowed the hours of solitude and reflection necessary to discover the content of my own being. It was because of the A.T. I realized my calling was public safety and became a firefighter. I believe we must protect our public land because people need a retreat. We need a way to disconnect from modern life and commune with nature. Sure, rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule won't immediately remove all wilderness areas. But we've got to draw a line somewhere and upholding an unequivocally good rule is a pretty common sense policy. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560460
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. Please, take this seriously. Our future generations will be greatly impacted. We can't undo the damage that will come with this. It is already have heartbreaking to have to explain to my 4 year old why the city I live in is cutting down trees to widen a road for more traffic. But to clear our forests that have been protected is another level. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560493
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. Hiking the Appalachian Trail has been a dream of mine for my life. I hope to hike it with my children and they, I'm sure, will want to hike it with their children. If you love America as I do, then maintaining and preserving its wild areas is of the utmost importance. America with its wild places is not America. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560498
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2014 and I treasure the time spent hiking through the woods, including many areas of undisturbed forestland. The quiet and peace cannot be brought back if the roadless rule is rescinded. Wildlife is a large attraction and benefit to both visitors and local communities, so habitat fragmentation from the rescission could lead to damage to ecosystems and the wildlife that live in them. This would change many areas of our country and I oppose the rescission. Keep the rule in place to protect lands and wildlife for future generations. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560522
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. Hiked the AT back in '83. Have been hiking it since I was in Boy Scouts @ 12. Still section hike it today @ 61. One of My most favorite places to spend time in GOD's Creation. May the Wind be to your back and the Sun to your Face. Keep up the Good Work Volunteers, Revelation 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560671
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 have personally been lucky enough to experience the benefits of the Roadless Rule. From April to November 2023, my wife and I hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. What we experienced was truly the best of America. In our remaining wild areas there are many intangible treasures, but more importantly real value that must be protected: 1. Incalculable benefits of wildlife populations in delicate ecosystems that support the resiliency of our food supply 2. The massive economic ties to thousands of small towns and everyday Americans involved in the outdoor pursuit and tourism economy that exists because of preservation of the wilderness nearby 3. The truly American values and moral obligation to save as much of our wild natural areas for future generations to come. These protected areas continue to exist only after decades of stewardship and hard-fought rights, and to be a part of the generation that failed our country for all of our future children would be most disgraceful. While it is important to manufacture green spaces within cities and parks, our valuable wilderness cannot coexist with the economic pressure of commerce, and once it is gone no amount of human ingenuity or design can possibly replace it. Wilderness cannot be created, only destroyed. The earth can heal over thousands of years, but Americans will suffer the consequences in our lifetimes if we do not continue to be stewards of our land. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560688
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 Appalachian Trail has been part of my life and my family's story for decades. My father hiked the Trail in the 1980s, and I spent significant time on it during college and again while earning my doctorate. During some of the most demanding periods of my life, long days on the Trail gave me space to think, reflect, and care for my mental health. Part of what made that possible was the solitude--the ability to walk for miles away from roads, cars, traffic, and the constant noise and infrastructure of everyday life. That sense of remoteness is not incidental to the Appalachian Trail experience; it is part of what makes it so extraordinary. A trail can remain physically intact while roads, vehicles, noise, and development fundamentally change the experience of being there. Beyond the environmental consequences of building roads into currently roadless areas, I want future generations to have the opportunity my father and I had: to step onto the Trail and experience places that still feel genuinely quiet, remote, and wild. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560690
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. As an Eagle Scout, I believe conservation means responsibly managing our public lands so they remain valuable for both people today and generations to come. I understand the argument that repealing the Roadless Rule would give local Forest Service officials greater flexibility. However, these are national public lands, and their value extends far beyond the communities immediately surrounding them. I am also concerned that wildfire and forest-health concerns are being used to justify removing protections across millions of acres. Forest Service research has found that fuel-management activities have continued in roadless areas and, on a per-area basis, have actually occurred at a higher rate than elsewhere in the National Forest System. If a specific forest needs a specific management action, it should be evaluated on its merits. Removing the national protection entirely is far broader than addressing individual problems. Please preserve the Roadless Area Conservation Rule and the opportunity for future generations to experience forests that remain truly roadless. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560807
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. Please keep our forests for future generations to enjoy and keep healthy staying out there. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560948
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. Dear Secretary Rollins, Thank you for rejecting this proposal - not only have I loved the AT and everything about its existence since my college years, but my parents also basically live on a mountain very close to access to the AT and are officially AT Trail Angels on call during the active hiking season. Their land is a certified plant sanctuary for at risk native VA plants, upon which they grow their own food, raise chickens (& two roosters!), is home to an assortment of butterflies and visiting hummingbirds that dot the landscape like floating wildflowers; to name but a few things about this special small world away from the craziness of regular life. The AT is a beautiful place and not only that - so is the existence of still persevered roadless areas of wilderness and the wild life and natural resources that remain unburdened and untouched is becoming a more and more invaluable and rare commodity by the second (thanks a lot, overzealous AI land developers or shall I call them overzealous land/water devourers?) Please consider this request upon many, our planet and everything on it deserves your consideration and attention! My personal comment stands not just for me personally but for the many loved ones and friends of mine (all of them) that go without saying most assuredly agree (and that includes the voice of all the unable to speak for themselves multitudes of wildlife and wilderness!) Thank you for taking the time to read this, Mary Snyder 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560967
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. Instead of new roads, what truly is needed is more funding to maintain present day roads and trails. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-560972
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 wilderness is our greatest natural resource. It deserves to be preserved for future generations. The AT is one of our nations greatest gifts for the people 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-561065
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 Roadless Rule is equally important out West where megafauna need contiguous corridors for healthy populations and citizens need quiet spaces to detoxify from noisy modern life. Additionally, i have personally viewed the slow pace of government contractors' work removing lumber/deadfall along the CDT where roads do exist. By the time contractors get to the wood it's less viable for commercial usage. A better use of government attention would be leveraging the areas with roads rather than ineffectively managing more territory with 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-561089
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 hiked and backpacked tens of thousands of miles across the country through national parks & preserves, on national scenic trails, and in state parks and local preserves. The deeper I get into these areas without roads or development, more amazing biodiversity I see and the more beauty I behold. The USDA has not established valid reasons to rescind the Roadless Conservation Rule, and I am vehemently opposed to any weakening of 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-561094
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. As both a weekend hiker and backpacker and a former AT thru-hiker, I enjoy natural areas for the connection they provide to nature, and for the peaceful quiet away from human-created noise (road, industrial, etc.) that they provide. As a civil engineer, I know well the negative impact that roads have on the surrounding environment, during construction and during their lifetime, as well as the cost of their ongoing maintenance. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-561140
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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. Please do not take this step which I believe will lead to the destruction of the beauty of this country! It seems there are so many working to undermine everything that makes America great. I see this as another part of that effort. I certainly could not vote for anyone who had a part in this decision. 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-561326
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 the past 16 years, my daughter and I have hiked over 1200 miles of the AT. The AT is a national treasure, but NFS road crossings are already so frequent that you'd think road building is the primary NFS goal. Given the current abundance of NFS roads, I can't imagine why we'd further degrade our forests, wildlife habitat, water quality, or the natural beauty of the landscape with more 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.
Full analysis of this comment →
Opposes rescissionA3 weakSubstance 9/24Owed an answerOct 5, 2026FS-2025-0001-561497
PLACESTANDDOCGAPEVIDASKALTLAW
Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. See the letter, its submissions and topics.One of 58 submissions in its group.
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 hope to walk the trail in the near future 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.
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: https://www.regulations.gov/bulkdownload.

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