“I live in Asheville, North Carolina and am writing to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to retain the…”

I live in Asheville, North Carolina and am writing to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and select the No Action Alternative. My connection to National Forest lands includes hiking and backpacking, camping, wildlife watching, and living in or near a National Forest community. Undeveloped National Forest lands matter to me because it’s important to protect the existing ecosystem. The land does not belong to us, they belong to the animals and beings that already live there. Lost Cove is one place that has shaped my views on this proposal. It is within the Linville Gorge Inventoried Roadless Area in Pisgah. I value this place because it’s quiet and I and connect with nature. I am concerned about wildlife habitat and landscape connectivity. They provide large connected habitats and ecosystems that can be hard to find in largely developed areas. I am concerned about clean water and healthy watersheds. Healthy and undeveloped watershed are crucial part of this world and habitat. Before rescinding the national rule, I would like USDA to answer this question: Why are the Roadless Rule's existing exceptions insufficient to meet legitimate wildfire, public safety, and forest-management needs? For these reasons, I urge USDA to retain the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and select the No Action Alternative. Thank you for considering my comments. Thank you, Taylor D