“Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's…”

Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, Dear In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that it is proposing a complete rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule, I ask you to resist making this change. This is a move that, if finalized, would be the largest loss of protections for rivers on federal lands in U.S. history. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected millions of acres of national forest lands that form the headwaters of some of the nation's most critical drinking water sources. Roadless areas safeguard more than 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, protecting fish and wildlife habitat and helping ensure clean drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, including residents of Denver, Atlanta, and Bozeman. Please reconsider this action, and keep the Roadless Rule as it is: a significant protection for rivers, clean water, and wildlife across the country. Sincerely, Karen Kovalik Kovalik 8909 Se Tolbert St Unit J1 Clackamas, OR 97015 karenkovalik@gmail.com Sincerely, Karen Kovalik Kovalik