Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 6/24Posted September 15, 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 eliminatedThe agency says it considered and eliminated the alternative the comment proposes, with a reason. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
Already addressedThe 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 decisionThe agency says the point belongs to a later, site-specific decision. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
Misreads the proposalThe agency says the comment misunderstands what is proposed. Defeated when the comment engages the proposal or a named place directly.
Not requiredThe agency says the analysis the comment asks for is not required. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
Preference notedThe 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 shownThe agency says the comment asserts a harm without showing how the action causes it. Defeated when the comment shows the mechanism.
Outside the scopeThe agency says the comment asks about a different action. Defeated when the comment is specific and tied to this proposal.
Certified not substantiveThe agency certifies the comment raises nothing substantive. Defeated when the comment alleges illegality, which is substantive by the definition the certification runs on.
Keep the roadless rule - don't rescind it.
Roadless areas are important beautiful, peaceful, biologically rich landscapes that are currently protected.
Repealing the rule is environmentally reckless, fiscally irresponsible, and unfair to rural communities who increasingly rely on outdoor tourism.
Our national forests are important areas that preserve biodiversity, especially in a country that is increasingly developed.
Roads kill wildlife: both in the construction, but also with vehicle traffic. The impacts don't stop there. Opening up forested land to roads increases fire risk, at a time when the federal government is already drastically underfunding wildfire and forestry staffing. Gaping holes in forests create new vectors for invasive plants, reducing habitat and increasing maintenance costs and / or degrading habitat quality.
Here in Virginia, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest has the most roadless acres (394,000) and the largest roadless areas of any national forest in the East — places like Little River, Skidmore Fork, Adams Peak, and Little Walker Mountain. These areas are not labeled with signage: you might recreate in one without knowing it.
These forests belong to the American people and they deserve to be protected from development and exploitation.