I am writing in opposition to the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule. Unfragmented tracts of land are becoming more and more important as increased development and population pushes up against our public lands. Roadless areas provide pristine lands to hunt and recreate.
Its hard for me to believe that alternative 2 and 3 are nothing more than a way to dramatically increase the harvesting of mature old groth Fir trees in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska given the executive orders that have been issued expressly calling for a dramatic expansion of timber production.
Once these Old Growth timber tracts are roaded and trees cut and turned into a tree farms its a changed landscapes forever.
I am fortunate to live near Twin Lakes in the Umpqua National Forest in Oregon. These lakes and surrounding area are squarely in inventoried roadless area. This place is a gem loved and visited by many. Its home to mature Fir trees hundreds of years old that cant be replaced. Opening up this area and others like it to harvesting is a terrible notion.
Sincerely Kenneth Zamba.