“Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed policy change. As a person familiar with western…”

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed policy change. As a person familiar with western public lands, having worked both for the U.S. Forest Service, and local non-profits, I have listened to much debate regarding the roadless rule since its enactment in 2001. I understand the concerns expressed by the current proposed change regarding access for firefighters, timber harvest, and other legitimate Forest uses. However, on balance, my experience and my research leads me to believe that the 2001 roadless rule should remain in place. In much of the lower 48 states, the areas that currently lack roads are steep, prone to landslides, and are difficult to harvest without permanently harming local soils (which are fundamental to the ability of our lands to grow trees) and/or the roads themselves. It is dubious that such proposed new roads and harvests will pencil out. Funds for road maintenance were so short during my time with the U.S. Forest service that travel was very slow and we avoided USFS roads where alternatives were available. Adding additional roads to public lands will not help, but simply add to the unfunded maintenance burden. Furthermore, roads also provide access to the public and, as public firefighters have repeatedly stated, most fires start near roads, often because a member of the public is not following proper procedures. This forces the USFS to expend precious resources patrolling the woods. In my experience, the public is also extremely adept at getting through locked gates and other barriers. The USFS and private contractors are already adept at accessing remote sites without roads. We don't need to provide more opportunities for human caused fires along new roads in our forests, especially given how much the land management agency budgets are currently being eaten up by fire suppression efforts. We should instead focus on thinning and restoring forests along areas with current roads and decommissioning less used routes for fire safety. Respectfully, Robert Hladky 88001 9th St. Veneta, OR 97487 (541) 223-9862