Comment Analysis · Docket FS-2025-0001

Organised campaigns.

Every campaign, by how it reached the agency: choose Individual Submission or Bulk Upload.

What a campaign is

A campaign is an organised effort by a group to get people to weigh in on the rule. The group writes a letter or a petition, asks its supporters to add their names or their own words, and gets the result to the agency. However it arrives, it is one campaign. It can arrive in two ways, and each is counted its own way.

The count is of entries, not people. A posted comment carries no name, so a person who posted the letter and also signed the petition is two entries, and cannot be matched.

The campaigns whose supporters posted the letter themselves, largest first by how many times it was posted. Each counts as one unique comment, however many posted it. Where the group behind a campaign is known, it is named, with how we know; otherwise the campaign is named by how its letter opens.

811 campaigns

Each campaign's organisation where known, its letter, how many submitted it, its position and ratings, and the topics it raises.

The Mountaineers
“I am an outdoor enthusiast who cherishes the backcountry recreation experiences provided by Roadless national forests across the Pacific…”From the organisation's submission: FS-2025-0001-596272
16 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24
Cultural Heritage IndigenousEnvironmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
The Mountaineers also uploaded its campaign in files: 1,008 entries in 1 upload, (Bulk Upload).
Letter FS-2025-0001-525025 · 10 versions · 7 added their own words
Earthjustice
“I'm 18 years old, Ive barely lived, barely experienced the world and already my hopes for being able to have diminished, we have failed…”From the action page: https://earthjustice.org/?p=45378
16 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24
Climate Carbon StorageEnvironmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Earthjustice also uploaded its campaign in files: 40,115 entries in 1 upload, (Bulk Upload).
Letter FS-2025-0001-565364 · 16 versions · 16 added their own words · names Tongass National Forest
“I am writing as a public lands user to oppose the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RR). I urge the Forest…”
16 submissionsOpposes rescissionA2 moderateSubstance 13/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityForest Management WildfireGovernance Policy ProcessTribal Sovereignty
Letter FS-2025-0001-566297 · 16 versions · 12 added their own words
“PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep the roadless rule! Our public lands, esp forests, have been under assault. They are critical to fighting climate…”
16 submissionsOpposes rescission
Climate Carbon StorageEnvironmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public Use
Letter FS-2025-0001-571280
“Dear Secretary Rollins, I strongly oppose the USDA’s proposal to eliminate or weaken the Roadless Rule. This reckless action would devastate…”
16 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 5/24
Climate Carbon StorageRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-586297 · 16 versions · 15 added their own words · names Pisgah National Forest
“I support Alternative 1: please keep the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule in place. I ride and hike in the George Washington National…”
16 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-588279 · 16 versions · 8 added their own words · names George Washington National Forest
“I oppose the rollback of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For more than two decades, this rule has protected much of the wildness that…”
16 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24
Climate Carbon StorageEnvironmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-583891 · 16 versions · 16 added their own words
“See Attached File: As a South Dakota resident who enjoys using roadless areas, I oppose rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule. My interest and…”
16 submissionsOpposes rescissionA1 strongSubstance 10/24
Governance Policy ProcessRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-601806 · 16 versions · 16 added their own words · names Sand Creek, 36 CFR 294
“As a public lands supporter and constituent who cares deeply about our public lands. The Roadless Rule is essential to conserving clean…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 5/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public Use
Letter FS-2025-0001-224088 · 3 versions
“Hi, I am a hiker who cares deeply about our national forests. I support the Roadless Rule and Alternative 1 - No Action in the Draft…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityForest Management WildfireRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-380002 · 15 versions · 12 added their own words
Bears Belong
“I strongly oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For nearly 25 years, the Roadless…”Named in the letter: Bears Belong. The Roadless Rule: How rescinding the Roadless Rule will negatively impact grizzlies. https://www.bearsbelong.com/roadless-rule
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA2 moderateSubstance 12/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityForest Management WildfireWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-254465 · 15 versions · 15 added their own words
International Fund for Animal Welfare
“Dear Special Areas: Roadless Area Conservation, I urge the U.S. Forest Service to keep intact the existing Roadless Area Conservation Rule…”From the action page: https://action.ifaw.org/page/199462/action/1
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 2/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityPublic Opinion SupportRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-298179 · 14 versions · 15 added their own words
“Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation Public Comment,Last year, more than 625,000 people from across the United States wrote to the…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24
Cultural Heritage IndigenousForest Management WildfireTribal SovereigntyWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-356849 · 15 versions · 15 added their own words · names Tongass National Forest
“Dear U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, I’m writing to urge you to choose Alternative 1 and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule intact. For 25…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 5/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityGovernance Policy ProcessRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-321915 · 8 versions
“I am a resident of PALM BEACH COUNTY in the state of Florida and I respectfully urge you to withdraw this proposal and retain the Roadless…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-472233 · 12 versions · 1 added their own words
“No Roads”
15 submissions
Letter FS-2025-0001-225919
“My husband's career as a wildlife biologist convinced him of the importance of large swaths of land that have not been altered by human…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24
Wildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-342912 · 2 versions
“Wild areas have extremely high value as healthy, undisturbed watersheds – providing clean water that supplies rivers and benefits downstream…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 1/24
Forest Management WildfireWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-338240 · 14 versions · 3 added their own words
“I strongly oppose the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal to repeal or weaken the landmark Roadless Area Conservation Rule that has…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24
Forest Management WildfireRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-266374 · 13 versions · 10 added their own words
“The Roadless Rule is important because it protects something that is increasingly rare in America: large, intact forests that remain free…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24
Climate Carbon StorageEnvironmental Protection BiodiversityRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-226290 · 15 versions · 11 added their own words
“I am writing to submit a public comment on the Notice of Intention to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. I strongly oppose rescinding the 2001…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 8/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityForest Management WildfirePublic Opinion SupportWater Quality Quantity
Letter FS-2025-0001-372347 · 15 versions · 13 added their own words · names Mt. Hood National Forest, Warm Springs
“Hello, I live in Central Oregon. In Central Oregon, nearly 200,000 acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas in the Deschutes National Forest…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24
Climate Carbon StorageRecreation Tourism Public UseWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-345074 · 15 versions · 12 added their own words · names Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest
“I am writing as a recreationist to oppose the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule). As a…”
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 3/24
Environmental Protection BiodiversityForest Management WildfireRecreation Tourism Public UseWildlife Habitat
Letter FS-2025-0001-483456 · 15 versions · 11 added their own words
Sierra Club
“Please do not destroy our only planet. It needs to be protected from poor land use. It is the peoples land and needs to be protected for…”From the organisation's submission: FS-2025-0001-480496
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24
Public Opinion SupportWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Sierra Club also uploaded its campaign in files: 20,135 entries in 1 upload, (Bulk Upload).
Letter FS-2025-0001-503916 · 14 versions · 15 added their own words
Sierra Club
“Roads in the public lands would greatly change the hiking experience for my family and many others. Many of the places we hike would be…”From the organisation's submission: FS-2025-0001-480496
15 submissionsOpposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24
Public Opinion SupportWater Quality QuantityWildlife Habitat
Sierra Club also uploaded its campaign in files: 20,135 entries in 1 upload, (Bulk Upload).
Letter FS-2025-0001-529827 · 14 versions · 15 added their own words

Sharing & methodology

These results are meant to be shared.

Please cite us. This analysis is the intellectual property of Roadless.org and Nicholas Holshouser. You are welcome to reproduce it — every reproduction must include this citation:

Roadless.org and Nicholas Holshouser, “2001 Roadless Rule Revision — Public Comment Analysis,” https://roadless.org.

How it works. Position and topic classification is performed by a large language model (the open-weight Qwen3.8 27B) that reads each comment and labels its position — supports, opposes, or neutral — and the topics it raises. Copies and campaigns are found by hashes of the text and the overlap of six-to-eight-word phrases, grouped into text families; every unique figure counts one family once. Sentence embeddings (Qwen3) find reworded templates, shown under Organized campaigns, and cross-check the families; lexical, syntactic and stylometric features (TF-IDF, spaCy) score each comment’s originality for review. Neither decides a copy count. The full method is on the Methodologies page of roadless.org.

The full method. Every step, why it is done that way, its known limits and a glossary: Methodologies →

The data. The full canonical dataset — every comment on Docket FS-2025-0001 — is available from Regulations.gov's bulk download, the canonical source: https://www.regulations.gov/bulkdownload. Download the CSV directly (Regulations.gov keeps this link working until October 18, 2026): https://bulk-downloads.regulations.gov/mv4-z8fw-q5jx.csv.

Roadless.org — analysis of the public comment docket.
Media inquiries welcome — nicholas@wanderingnature.com.