“I support the Forest Service’s proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The rule…”

I support the Forest Service’s proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The rule unnecessarily restricts access and limits the ability of Forest Service professionals to actively manage forests facing severe wildfire, insects, disease and declining forest health. Healthy forests require active management, and effective management requires access. Forest Service professionals should have greater flexibility to reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest conditions and respond to wildfire before more forests, watersheds and wildlife habitat are lost. The Roadless Rule limits that flexibility by imposing nationwide restrictions on forests with very different conditions and management needs. Decisions about access and forest management should be made through forest planning and site specific analysis, where local professionals can apply science and their knowledge of the land. After 25 years, we have seen severe wildfire and forest mortality affect millions of acres of roadless forests across the West. Continuing to restrict management will not keep these forests healthy and standing. I urge the Forest Service to rescind the Roadless Rule and give its professionals the flexibility they need to actively manage our national forests for the future.