The Forest Service should keep the Roadless Rule intact as it is, utilizing Alternative 1 in the current DEIS. I am deeply concerned about the proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule.
Roadless areas provide important benefits to communities across the country, including clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and protection from the impacts of development. These lands are also an important part of the character and identity of many communities and provide places for people to enjoy the outdoors.
I am particularly concerned that rescinding the Roadless Rule could increase logging, deforestation, destruction of critical habitats, the increase of irresponsible oil/gas drilling and cause a loss of biodiversity.
The Roadless Rule has provided consistent, nationwide protections for these special places for decades. The Forest Service should not weaken those protections or open currently protected roadless lands to these exploitative risks. I urge the Forest Service to pursue Alternative 1 and retain the existing Roadless Rule protections.
Sincerely,
Micah Bergey
540 Roosevelt Ave Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221-2028
msbergey574@gmail.com