Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 4/24Posted September 16, 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.
“quiet areas are valuable and necessary for both wildlife and humans”
What it names
Roadless areas
Bear Swamp
The comment
I am a retired US Forest Service biologist. I worked on the establishment of the Bear Swamp Roadless Area on the Huron-Manistee Nation Forests. I assure you that this area was selected as a roadless area for very specific and important reasons. It was not chosen for random and meaningless reasons. The Bear Swamp Roadless Area provides critical and necessary winter habitat for whitetail deer, several sensitive plant species are found in this area, it is important to the water quality of the Sable River, and is a quiet area for people as well as animals. There exists an extensive network of roads and motorized trails in the area; more are not needed.
Please retain this roadless area and those on all National Forests; quiet areas are valuable and necessary for both wildlife and humans.
I am retired from the US Forest Service and worked on the establishment of the Bear Swamp Roadless Area. This area was selected as a roadless area for very specific and important reasons. Bear Swamp provides important and critical winter habitat for whitetail deer, several rare and sensitive plants species are found here, and it helps protect the water quality of the Sable River. There already exists an extensive network of roads and motorized trails, more are not needed in this area.
Please retain this Roadless Area and those throughout the US Forest Service. Quiet areas are necessary for wildlife and humans alike.