Comment Analysis · Docket FS-2025-0001

FS-2025-0001-306496

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Posted September 3, 2026 On Regulations.gov

Campaign — One letter sent by 10 or more people, copied or lightly reworded. One of 39 submissions in its group; the sender added words of their own. See the letter, its submissions and topics.

Scored with own additions — A family member whose own text beyond the shared letter was scored and combined with the letter's score.

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

  • Recreation Tourism Public Use
    • “valuable for mountain biking, hiking, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, and paddling”
    • “changing the primitive backcountry character”
    • “I love to walk in the forests”
  • Environmental Protection Biodiversity
    • “fragmenting habitat”
    • “keeps these lands free of new road construction and large-scale logging”
    • “Michigan's last large roadless forests”
  • Governance Policy Process
    • “oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule”
    • “ask the Forest Service to withdraw this proposal”
    • “keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place”

What it names

National Forests
Hiawatha National ForestHuron-Manistee National ForestOttawa National Forest
Roadless areas
Bear Swamp

The comment

I am writing to oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule (Docket FS-2025-0001, RIN 0596-AD66). Michigan's national forests contain roughly 16,000 acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas across three forests: the Hiawatha National Forest, home to the Fibre (7,431 acres) and Delirium (188 acres) Roadless Areas; the Ottawa National Forest, including Norwich Plains and Trap Hills, totaling about 4,600 acres; and the Huron-Manistee National Forest, home to Bear Swamp (3,915 acres). These are Michigan's last large roadless forests. The Roadless Rule keeps these lands free of new road construction and large-scale logging. That is exactly what makes them valuable for mountain biking, hiking, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, and paddling today. Rescinding the rule would allow new roads and increased logging in these areas, fragmenting habitat and changing the primitive backcountry character these forests currently offer. My family has enjoyed backpacking in the Manistee forest, enjoying the solitude and beauty of the area. We need this break from all the noise, rush, and crowds of the city. I would hate to see this area impacted by bringing more roads into it. I want to keep it pure for my grandkids to continue enjoying. I ask the Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in place for Michigan's Hiawatha, Ottawa, and Huron-Manistee National Forests, along with the rest of the National Forests across the United States. Sincerely, Jack Martine, Grand Rapids MI

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