FS-2025-0001-469498

I am a resident in Western North Carolina and I am writing to express my deep Opposition to the Proposed Repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule Protections for North Carolina's National Forests (Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests). I am also a survivor of Helene and my personal experiences witinessing the devastating impacts of that storm and understanding the vulnerablity our mountains, forests and watershed is no longer hypothetical but very real. I have chosen to live here and sincerely hope that these mountains and the environment can continue to sustain life in all of it's forms for my children as well as generations to come. I oppose the U.S. Forest Service's proposal to end the 2001 Roadless Rule. The repeal of these federal protections places 172,000 acres of pristine, Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) within the Pisgah and Nantahala Forests at immediate risk of commercial logging, industrial development, and habitat-fragmenting road construction. These backcountry areas--including critical watersheds and iconic landscapes, like Linville Gorge, Laurel Mountain, and the South Mills River Watershed are invaluable to the state of North Carolina for several critical reasons: Watershed Protection and Climate Resilience: These 172,000 acres act as a vital natural filtration system that supplies clean drinking water to hundreds of thousands or residents across Western North Carolina. Maintaining intact, unfragmented forest floors is our best natural defense against catastrophic soil erosion and severe downstream flooding, which increasingly threaten our mountain communities. Economic Impact on Tourism and Recreation: Western North Carolina's multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy relies directly on the wild, uninterrupted nature of these public lands. Opening these backcountry areas to industrial use will permanently degrade the world-class hiking, fly-fishing, and climbing experiences that draw visitors from around the globe and support local businesses. Irreplaceable Biodiversity: the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests harbor unique, ancient ecosystems and endangered wildlife species that cannot survive the disruption brought by heavy machinery and road corridors. Relying solely on local shifting forest management plans does not offer the permanent, ironclad security that the 2001 Roadless Rule provides. While I am sharing with you my personal concerns with WNC, I am equally concerned for our national forests and public lands throughout our nation. My father grew up in the coal mining area of the Appalachian mountains in western Maryland and I have witnessed the devastating impact of logging and coal mining, stripping mountain tops and polluting water have had on the local economies. Those communities continue to suffer from poverty and toxicity. Surely we have learned from experience in our nation, the devastation of natural resources at the expense of the environment that we all need to sustain life. We need clean water, clean air and soil. We also need the beauty of this planet. We must protect it. I urge the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture to reject this rollback and maintain the full, existing federal protections for North Carolina's backcountry. Thank you for your time and consideration of these public comments. Sincerely, Valerie Linn NC, 28803