Dear Chief Schultz:
As a North Carolinian and American, I value tremendously our virgin lands and forests as a place of mental rest, physical activity away from noise except for the refreshing noise of nature and animals, and a gift for our future generations that must be maintained in their present state. The Department's proposed recession would deprive future generations of this gift as well as destroy the quiet peacefulness of parks and forests for people and for wildlife. I am adamantly opposed to this.
I hike and run weekly in Umstead Park, preserved forest land outside Raleigh. I also go as often as I can to the mountains to hike and refresh. These places of total quiet in nature are necessary for my mental health. And that is what so many of my family and friends say. We NEED to preserve these gifts untouched by roads and industry.
Hiking with my daughters in the Appalachians is a treasured gift as we decompress in the silence of human noise and the songs of birds. Listening to and seeing the crystal clear waters of rivers and creeks offers total relaxation.
Regarding the Linville Gorge Addition in the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina:
I have hiked the Linville Gorge trails, among others in Western NC. Your name is Forest SERVICE - not Forest "Destroyer" who sells out to greedy industry. I cannot fathom that the pristine lands of our country, valued by so many and depended upon by so many, could be sold out to the "highest bidder". They belong to the people, not individual industries. They are an asset of this country to be protected for ALL Americans to enjoy both now and in the future as they are, not cut up by destructive roads to serve a few industries. How selfish! There is something that cannot be replaced by entering a quiet forest in Western NC to hike, rest, enjoy a view, and commune in silence knowing that you are surrounded by wildlife that is at home and protected in a totally natural setting mostly untouched by humans except those who appreciate and treasure it for what it is.
The many-faceted destructive results of allowing roads into pristine forest and land is a huge concern. Run-off of dirty water from roads into clean creeks and rivers, the re-routing of those creeks leading to the death of aquatic wildlife, bringing in invasive species leading to the destruction of native foliage and trees, the destruction of sacred tribal sites, disturbing noice from machinery and vehicles - this cannot be allowed!
Ten maintained trails provide access to the gorge floor and rim overlooks, ranging from 0.75 miles to 2.8 miles. Keep industry roads out!
It appalls me that the Forest SERVICE would allow forests to be destroyed by roads and the resulting dust, noise, and dirt runoff. How can you allow the degradation of lands that belong to all Americans for recreation, hunting, livelihood? How can you allow the degradation of lands that are needed for our dwindling wildlife? How can you allow the degradation of pristine lands needed for clean water? I value our American wild lands as they are. We owe it to future Americans to keep them as they are so they can enjoy them. You have no right to go down a slippery slope of gradually allowing them to be torn apart by the rescission of the Roadless Rule.
Recreation opportunities depend entirely on the absence of roads. Hiking here means true backcountry travel—steep, unmarked descents, stream crossings, and self-reliance. Hunters access remote ridges and hollows on foot, finding game. Recreation enthusiasts support the surrounding businesses of our wild places. The only thing that will grow and survive roads invading pristine lands is industry greed. Please do not allow this!
Earnestly,
CommentID: RLC-20260920-B9V1IE