“Dear Secretary Rollins and Chief Schultz, I write today to express my strong opposition to repealing the…”

Dear Secretary Rollins and Chief Schultz, I write today to express my strong opposition to repealing the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule protects 45 million acres of natural intact forests – called roadless areas -- that provide crucial wildlife habitat, especially for species that are declining. As many as 414 animals and plants listed as endangered, threatened or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act have ranges that overlap with roadless areas. For example, the Pacific coastal marten relies on roadless areas in the pacific northwest. Once presumed extinct, we now know there are about 400 left, and they live deep within unlogged forests including National Forest roadless areas. In addition to providing crucial wildlife habitat, roadless areas are very important for delivering clean water to fish-bearing streams and eventually into the faucets of many American homes. They also are the places where many Americans go to hike, ride, bike, fish and hunt – activities that fuel a $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy that supports over five million jobs. A recent economic study found that roadless areas in the continental United States (excluding Idaho and Colorado, which are covered under separate rules) generate $24 billion in economic benefits. In contrast, sales of timber from National Forests represent about 1% of that figure. The benefits of this rule are so compelling that I am asking the Forest Service to keep this rule and not weaken it in any way. By doing this, we can promote wildlife conservation in this country and contribute to quality of life and economic security for our communities. Thank you for considering these comments.