“FS-2025-0001-223869 To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my concern about the recent proposal…”

FS-2025-0001-223869 To the U.S. Forest Service: I am writing to express my concern about the recent proposal to eliminate the Roadless Rule. I was disappointed to learn that the Forest Service is considering removing protections that have helped safeguard roadless areas. Our national forests belong to all of us. They protect clean water and wildlife habitat and give people across the country places to hike, camp, fish, hunt, ski, and experience nature. Regarding Docket FS-2025-0001, RIN 0596-AD66, the proposal to eliminate the Roadless Rule, I urge the Forest Service to keep these protections in place. For more than 20 years, the Roadless Rule has helped keep some of the wildest parts of our national forests intact by limiting new roads and logging. And once a road is built or a forest is logged, some of what makes a roadless area special can be difficult to restore. That's why I am urging you to: – Protect water quality and drinking water by keeping roadless forests and the watersheds they support intact. – Protect wildlife and habitat from the impacts of additional roads and logging. – Safeguard outdoor recreation and the undeveloped places where people hike, camp, fish, hunt, ski, and experience nature. – Take wildfire risks seriously before allowing more roads. The Forest Service has cited wildfire management as one reason for repealing the rule, while its own review also considers the relationship between roads, access, and wildfire risk. – Preserve these public lands for future generations instead of removing protections that have been in place for more than two decades. Decisions about our national forests will have lasting consequences. Please, I am asking you to do everything within your authority to ensure our national forests can keep these protections. Withdraw the proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule and keep these safeguards in place today and for generations to come. Thank you for considering my comments. Sincerely, Richard Lehnert, 316 Patterson St, Ashland Sincerely, Mr. Richard Lehnert