Comment Analysis · Docket FS-2025-0001

FS-2025-0001-279584

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Posted August 28, 2026 On Regulations.gov

Scored directly — The comment's whole text was scored on its own.

Scorecard

Each dimension is scored 0–3; the eight sum to the substance score out of 24.

Specific placeNames a specific location — from a region down to an exact creek, trail, road, or map reference.
Local knowledgeDraws on a first-hand connection to the place — visits, sustained activity, occupation, or a professional role.
EA analysisEngages the agency's environmental analysis directly.
Analytical gapIdentifies something the analysis fails to address.
EvidenceBacks claims with specific facts, data, or research.
RequestMakes a specific, actionable request of the agency.
AlternativeProposes a different course of action.
LegalCites statutes, regulations, or legal obligations.

How hard it is to set aside

A0 none: Counted, not answered.

Still open to the agency

Alternative already eliminated The agency says it considered and eliminated the alternative the comment proposes, with a reason. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
Already addressed The agency says its analysis already covers the point. Defeated when the comment cites the law itself: there is no analysis to cite against a statutory claim.
Deferred to a later decision The agency says the point belongs to a later, site-specific decision. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
Misreads the proposal The agency says the comment misunderstands what is proposed. Defeated when the comment engages the proposal or a named place directly.
Not required The agency says the analysis the comment asks for is not required. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
Preference noted The agency notes the comment as a statement of preference and takes no action on it. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
No cause and effect shown The agency says the comment asserts a harm without showing how the action causes it. Defeated when the comment shows the mechanism.
Outside the scope The agency says the comment asks about a different action. Defeated when the comment is specific and tied to this proposal.
Certified not substantive The agency certifies the comment raises nothing substantive. Defeated when the comment alleges illegality, which is substantive by the definition the certification runs on.

Topics

Environmental Protection Biodiversity
- “provide habitats for wildlife”
- “natural ecosystems”
- “habitat for black bears, native trout, and a multitude of other animals and birds”
- “Preserve the natural wildlife, ecosystems”
Water Quality Quantity
- “clean water”
- “exceptionally valuable for its clean water resources”
- “water supply”
- “erosion and flood control”
Recreation Tourism Public Use
- “major hiking, camping, and fishing destination”
- “human recreation, peace, and solitude”
- “human recreation so the lands are sustained”
- “taxpayers who use and love this land”
Resource Development Extraction
- “never be opened to roads, building, logging, or any development”
- “Enforce strong protections against new road construction, logging”
- “Protect the Shenandoah Mountain Region from road development and logging”

What it names

Roadless areas: Little RiverOak Knob

The comment

Re. Public Comment Opposing Rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule Dear Secretary of Agriculture and U.S Forest Service, I am writing to strongly oppose any effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I am a long-time resident of Charlottesville, Virginia and the Shenandoah Mountain Scenic Area is close to my home and a major hiking, camping, and fishing destination for me, my husband, family and friends. The Shenandoah Mountain region includes five, (5) roadless areas including between 67,000 to 70,000 acres of land known as Oak Knob, Gun Run, Skidmore Fork, Little River, and Ramsey Draft. These areas should never be opened to roads, building, logging, or any development. These wilderness roadless areas provide habitats for wildlife, clean water, natural ecosystems, human recreation, peace, and solitude for nearby residents and visitors. These areas would never recover from roads, logging, and development. The U.S. Forest Service identifies this landscape as exceptionally valuable for its clean water resources, erosion and flood control, and habitat for black bears, native trout, and a multitude of other animals and birds. The land and habitats are irreplaceable. The Roadless Area Conservation Rule provides nationwide baseline for protecting these irreplaceable roadless regions. The Forest Service’s data identified the Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAS) protected under the 2001 rule. There are a multitude of environmental reasons to maintain/support the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Our National Forests and Protected Lands should be managed and maintained with respect for wildlife, water, tree growth, ecosystems and human recreation so the lands are sustained for years to come. I respectfully urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture to: •Do not rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule •Enforce strong protections against new road construction, logging and any development in Inventoried Roadless Areas •Protect the Shenandoah Mountain Region from road development and logging •Preserve the natural wildlife, ecosystems, water supply, and natural beauty of the land •Listen to scientists, ecologist, wildlife specialist, forestry management, and the taxpayers who use and love this land Sincerely, Suzanne Hamar Cassidy Charlottesville, VA 22911