I oppose the proposal to fully or partially rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. My name is Mandy Walters and I live in Spokane, Washington. As an avid hiker, skier, and backpacker, many of the lands within current roadless areas that I love will be impacted by the potential recission. One of my great joys is hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail with my son, who has become a great lover of the outdoors over the years. We go on a trip together annually to enjoy the vast wilderness and backcountry areas, primarily located on Forest Service land. I hope that one day, we can hike the entire trail. Yet over 10% of the PCT runs through areas that are protected by the Roadless Rule. Lands in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, the Wenatchee National Forest, and the Okanogan National Forest all have the potential to be negatively impacted, thereby negatively impacting the PCT. In addition to losing these pristine landscapes, placing roads in these areas will increase fire risk. Studies show that fires are 4 times as likely to start in areas near roads, meaning rescinding this rule will put our forests at a higher likelihood of fire at a time when we can least afford to do so.
Again, I would like to state that I am opposed to the proposal to fully or partially rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule and favor Alternative 1, the No Action alternative.