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Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, George Bevans 136 Hay Rd Milford, PA 18337-9629 caseyrock9@aol.com

Re: Rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, Docket FS-2025-0001 I love the plants and fungi that grow on or near the forest floor, the animals and birds--small and large--that feed on them and scatter their seeds and spores, the raptors and wild cats and bears that can sometimes be glimpsed, and the cycle of life that flourishes in intact, undamaged forests and other landscapes. Our public lands are havens for these beautiful life forms that have evolved together over millions of years. The forests they hold are clean-water sources that millions of people rely on. These forests, when populated with living trees, also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, replacing it with oxygen that we need to live. Forest ecosystems are able to do these things without interruption when they are protected from roads that fragment them and damage the soil that their roots hold. Our duty, as responsible citizens and as a nation appreciative of the natural wonders we have inherited, is to protect these irreplaceable places so that both we and our future generations can enjoy them and the benefits they provide--clean air, clean water, recreation areas and more. It is detrimental to our country as a whole when our public lands are denuded of their forests; when roads break up the ecosystems their forests shelter and nurture; when environmental instability, polluted water and destructive landslides result from roadbed damage to and drying out of the soil and local climate. Using our public lands and forests as merely one-time sources of minerals and timber destroys their ability to help keep our water and air free of clogging sedimentary residue, polluting air-borne particles and smoke. American citizens depend on clean water from pristine sources and waterways; cutting roadways through our public-land forests and cutting down the trees that remain severely damage the water nearly ten percent of Americans rely on. The Forest Service is chartered with protecting and wisely using our publicly-owned forests. Many thousands of comments have been submitted regarding your proposed rule change to allow roads to be cut through previously protected forests; 99% of the commenters oppose this rule change. The voice of the American people is the voice the Forest Service is required by law and charter to heed--not just the wishes and demands of extractive and other industries and corporations. It is a betrayal of all of us, of our children and grandchildren, and of generations beyond to ignore the public's clear disapproval of the proposed rule change. You have given neither sufficient time nor any public meetings to allow the public to weigh in on this critical issue. You and the administration do not own these lands that are in danger from the rule change--the American people do. To ignore their preference for protecting our public forests--to end the Roadless Rule without public assent--is to steal these lands from the American people. Please do not change or dismantle the protections of the Roadless Rule for our public forests and lands. I am commenting again on the proposed dismantling of the protections for our public forests embodied in the Roadless Rule because I am a dedicated US citizen with a great sense of the value and irreplaceable environmental bounty that our forests shelter and support. It is important for all of our voices to be heard. I am imploring you to give the American people more time to weigh in on this proposed rule change, and to honor their right to public discussion of this and all other rule changes. The rules have in the past been put in place after serious environmental and scientific study and consideration of alternative management policies. You have a solemn duty to uphold the people's right to be a respected part of the decision-making process. I am writing in opposition to the rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I raise the following issues for the record and ask that the agency respond to each of them: Issue 1: Fragmentation is quantified and not applied I go out to watch wildlife and birds, and what I look for lives in unbroken habitat. The agency measured what fragmentation costs and then set the finding aside. The DEIS cites the finding that habitat fragmentation reduces biodiversity by 13 to 75 percent. The number appears; no projection across the 40.1 million affected acres follows. I ask that the agency apply the cited fragmentation range to the 40.1 million acres of potentially affected environment. I request that the agency respond in the record to each of the issues raised in this comment, and that it analyze in the DEIS an alternative that retains the 2001 rule's protections. Where this proposal rests on factual conclusions that differ from the agency's own prior findings quoted here, I ask that the agency acknowledge the change in position and provide a reasoned explanation for it on the record. Sincerely, Ann McStay Pittsburgh, PA 15243

Our wild and roadless lands are a part of our American heritage. They also help the economy as international visitors come to visit them as well (remember all of the World Cup videos of natural areas?). It is imperative to maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and to not rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Sincerely, Pam Borkowski-Valentin 20 W Windermere Ter Lansdowne, PA 19050-2107 borkval@gmail.com

As a life-long Pennsylvania resident, former DCNR employee in both forestry and state parks, past director of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education, avid hiker, and biker, I find no compelling reason to open protected national forest land to development, nor to rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Allegheny National Forest is a Pennsylvania jewel, providing habitat for wildlife, a source of clean water, as well as a pristine area for recreation. Conservation regulations were enacted to protect our wild areas. Needless development of these areas under the guise of progress, economic improvement, or whatever other excuse to develop might be offered would be a disaster. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Let Mr. Trump's developer friends make their money by improving Pennsylvania's existing infrastructure. Keep hands off the Allegheny National Forest and other areas like it around our country. Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Sincerely, Dennis P. Bechard 143 S. Broad Street Waynesboro, PA 17268 dpb.wboro@gmail.com]

As a life-long Pennsylvania resident, former DCNR employee in both forestry and state parks, past director of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education, avid hiker, and biker, I find no compelling reason to open protected national forest land to development, nor to rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Allegheny National Forest is a Pennsylvania jewel, providing habitat for wildlife, a source of clean water, as well as a pristine area for recreation. Conservation regulations were enacted to protect our wild areas. Needless development of these areas under the guise of progress, economic improvement, or whatever other excuse to develop might be offered would be a disaster. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Let Mr. Trump's developer friends make their money by improving Pennsylvania's existing infrastructure. Keep hands off the Allegheny National Forest and other areas like it around our country. Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Sincerely, Dennis P. Bechard 143 S Broad St Waynesboro, PA 17268-1660 dpb.wboro@gmail.com

Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, se01nsnn se01nsnn , As someone who cares deeply about national parks and the public lands that sustain them, I urge you to choose the No Action alternative and keep the Roadless Rule in place. For more than two decades, the rule has protected roughly 44.7 million acres of ecologically intact national forest lands, including areas near Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Great Smoky Mountains national parks. These wild places safeguard clean water, provide essential wildlife habitat, support outdoor recreation, and help keep park ecosystems connected and healthy. Rescinding the rule would expose these treasured landscapes to new roads and development, fragmenting habitat, degrading waterways, and putting our parks at risk. Many public lands are already available for timber and energy development. Roadless protections apply to only about 30% of National Forest lands, making these remaining intact areas especially important for future generations. Please do not move forward with this unnecessary rollback. Keep the Roadless Rule in place to protect the forests, wildlife, clean water, and the national parks. Jessica Deal 1018 E MOYAMENSING AVE 1009 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA Philadelphia, PA 19147 Sincerely, Jessica Deal

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, Laura Chinofsky 422 Wendy Rd Southampton, PA 18966-3521 lzchin@hotmail.com

I grew up spending as much time outdoors. I hunt and I hike. I value old-growth trees, which can take centuries to replace. Please do NOT rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I also pay attention to votes. I now and then (not as often as I should) knock on doors to support candidates who thake conservation seriously. Respectfully, Fred D. Baldwin Sincerely, Fred Baldwin 5225 Wilson Ln Apt 2139 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6667 fdbaldwin@gmail.com

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat and help purify our aie and water. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, Bonita Stetson 2005 Creekside Ct Warrington, PA 18976-2455 bonnie.stetson@verizon.net

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, William Montgomery 124 Lindley Ln Pottstown, PA 19465-7567 wmontgmery@comcast.net

I grew up on the edge of a forest and have all my life understood that the forest is a place of deep nurturing of life and feeds our health, our spirit and our imagination as well as sustaining the web of life, creating the air we breathe and purifying the air and water for us all. It is madness to destroy our forests for short-term greed. I turn to you and call on your conscience and your respect for the possibility of life for your children and ask that you please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, Marya Bradley 11 Prices Ln Rose Valley, PA 19063-4214 mabstream@gmail.com

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, Melanie Cohick 12 Sheeley Ln Boiling Springs, PA 17007-9436 co555tmr@comcast.net

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, Jill Turco 2428 Manton St Philadelphia, PA 19146-2434 Jillylovespugs@gmail.com

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Roads are the slippery slope that will bring development and further destroy our prized wilderness. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Our National Parks provide people of all ages and income levels important affordable recreation. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, John Gilda 5661 Locust Valley Rd Coopersburg, PA 18036-2742 john.gilda@verbalprimate.com

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an environmental scientist, I understand the important role these forests have in providing essential ecosystem services that support our human communities. This includes preventing floods and protecting the quantity and quality of water. Water that is essential for our bodies and for our local economies. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that also provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining, because they will benefit us more in the long run as a functioning forest, than as a site for resource extraction. Industrial activity would destroy these forests that we have inherited from former generations. Generations who were wise enough to recognize their value. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, Yvonne Sorovacu 968 Illinois Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15221-4718 yvonne.sorovacu@gmail.com

Pennsylvania forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat and environmental services that help keep our water and air clean. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish, and camp and they attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Industrial activity would destroy the trees, wildlife, and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Thank you. Sincerely, Mary Burris 211 E Meyer Ave New Castle, PA 16105-2118 meb@maryburris.com

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. All of these noble acts were the original products of pioneers such as Joseph Rothrock and Mira Lloyd Dock to benefit the integrity of these maintained forests, not subject them to individual profiteers. These forests are full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re our favorite places to hike, fish and camp. Wild forests should remain protected from road-building, commercial logging and mining. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild--KEEP out loggers and miners who work only for personal profit! Bonj Szczygiel PA resident Sincerely, Bonj Szczygiel 494 Sawmill Rd Port Matilda, PA 16870-8715 bxs28@psu.edu

Points/ Comments on the Proposed recission of the Roadless Rule by the US Forest Service. Submitted by Peter M. Dubinsky, 715 Lincoln Ave, Grove City, PA 16127 Foxrun9@Comcast.net. I am submitting the following points and comments which support my view that the Proposed recession of the Roadless Rule should not be pursued by the US Forest Service. The Rule should remain in place as written. It is vital to the protection of the public lands and the National Forest lands. My reasons are: 1.As a citizen of the US, a Taxpayer and a believer in the value of conservation of resources the Roadless Rule adds a critical layer of protection for key sections of National Forests which serve as the last places in the US (and the world for that matter) where many species of animals, plants, trees and wildlife in general can prosper and survive. 2.The proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule does not seem to be based on any supporting data or information indicating a change in the rule is needed to support some national need. Instead, the recission appears based on the whim of the administration to open roadless areas to the forces of commercial development and recreational activities which will do harm to the land. My wife and I own land close to the Allegheny National Forest in Western Pennsylvania. The Allegheny National Forest already allows certain commercial activities such as timber sales and use of use of off-road vehicles. Such allowances already occur in a large number of National Forest areas in a controlled and planned format. Why open the small areas of the forest to recreational and commercial activity when a large portion is already open? It does not seem to make sense. 3.I noted that the rule will expand the use of recreational vehicles. As a landowner of private property in Western PA, I can attest to the fact that owners of off-road vehicles will, given the opportunity, violate the land by tearing up the soil and woodland with their actions. Keeping ATVs and other off-road vehicles out of our private property is a task itself. I can envision the “off roaders” taking advantage of the National Forest lands as well. 4.If some changes in the Roadless Rule do make sense, why not just establish a new the timeline for States to provide their own proposals for modifying the existing roadless designations. That was part of the original rule, and several states did make proposals and those proposals were accepted. This allows the States, which see it as useful to identify modifications to the existing roadless designations, to do so and explain why. That allows them the control which is a key intent of the proposal. Let the states decide.

I am writing to urge the federal government to keep the current protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests. Please do NOT rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Roadless areas are full of old-growth trees that make up crucial wildlife habitat. Our wildlife and natural areas are one of the things I value most about living in this area. Roads cause devastating habitat fragmentation and create the potential for increased mining and logging that will drive remove and degrade more habitat and drive species to extinction. You must not make this change. Sincerely, Cassia Torczon 4433 Baltimore Ave Apt 3R Philadelphia, PA 19104-5881 cassiatorczon@gmail.com

Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. In Pennsylvania, the rule protects about 25,000 acres of the Allegheny National Forest—roughly 5% of the more than 500,000-acre forest. The Commonwealth's only national forest is full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re home to unique places for low-impact, backcountry outdoor recreation, like hiking, fishing, and camping. And it's known as the "lungs of Pennsylvania" because the large tree canopy helps filter air and produce clean oxygen. Many forests are open to logging, development, and other industrial uses. This portion of the wild should remain held to a higher standard of protection so that trees can mature, rare species can thrive, and more people can enjoy our natural treasures and resources. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild. Sincerely, Carolyn Comitta 17 E Gay St West Chester, PA 19380-3144 carolyn.comitta@pasenate.com