National Audubon Society

I stand with the National Audubon Society to urge the U.S. Forest Service not to repeal the Roadless Rule. The Forest Service is responsible for managing our nation's forests to sustain their health, ecological diversity, and productivity, which includes the protection of old-growth and mature forests. Special places like the Tongass National Forest should be protected because of their ecological value for birds, their extensive carbon stores, and their subsistence, heritage, and recreational value for current and future generations. Roadless areas represent some of the most intact public lands and wildlife habitats left in the country, home to more than 77 bird species of conservation concern. These lands contribute to local and rural economies through recreation, birdwatching, hunting, and fishing, while also ensuring that downstream communities have safe drinking water. Ecological forest management to mitigate fire risk, ensure community safety, and improve habitat is important. The Forest Service should focus on how roadless areas are managed and maintained to improve habitats and reduce fire risk, rather than narrowly focusing on road-building and large-scale timber harvests in remote and ecologically sensitive areas. The intact forests of the National Forest System are essential for healthy bird populations, and these public lands are part of what makes our country so special. The Forest Service should not repeal the long-standing protections for forests in the Roadless Rule.