Comment Analysis · Docket FS-2025-0001

FS-2025-0001-319801

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 5/24Posted September 7, 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

Water Quality Quantity
- “cold, undammed watershed supports salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout”
- “sacrifice clean water”
- “sediment reaches spawning streams”
- “damage cannot simply be reversed”
Wildlife Habitat
- “intact habitat”
- “supports salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout”
- “fragment a watershed”
- “last connection we have to wild places”
Recreation Tourism Public Use
- “fishing and backcountry recreation”
- “public recreation”
- “wild places away from roads”
Environmental Protection Biodiversity
- “protects nearly 38,000 acres”
- “intact habitat”
- “Roadless Rule must remain fully intact”

What it names

National Forests: Six Rivers National Forest
Roadless areas: Black ButteNorth Fork SmithSouth Fork

The comment

I am submitting this comment in strong opposition to the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, docket FS-2025-0001. I am a Humboldt County constituent writing in unequivocal opposition to USDA’s proposed repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule. The North Fork Smith Roadless Area protects nearly 38,000 acres of Six Rivers National Forest. Its cold, undammed watershed supports salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout while providing the kind of fishing and backcountry recreation that makes the North Coast exceptional. Opening these lands to additional road construction and commercial development would sacrifice clean water, intact habitat, and public recreation for short-term industrial access. Once roads fragment a watershed and sediment reaches spawning streams, the damage cannot simply be reversed. The Roadless Rule must remain fully intact. I urge the Forest Service to select the No Action Alternative, withdraw the proposed rescission, and retain the Roadless Rule in full. I am also concerned with maintaining the Roadless status of Black Butte Chanchelulla Chinquapin English Ridge Mad River Buttes Mount Lassic North Fork Eel Pattison Redwood NP Sanhedrin Siskiyou South Fork Eel River South Fork Trinity River Trinity Alps additions Underwood Mountain Yolly Bolly addition Yuki It’s what maintains the last connection we have to wild places away from roads.