FS-2025-0001-508562

As someone who cares about our roadless forests in Wyoming, I urge the Forest Service to retain the 2001 Roadless Rule by adopting the "No Action" alternative. I strongly oppose rescinding the Roadless Rule because: 1. National Forests are the headwaters of our great rivers and the largest source of municipal water supplies. My drinking water originates in the Bridger Teton National Forest via the Hams Fork River. Roads contribute to erosion, sedimentation, and contaminants flowing into waterways. The Roadless Rule is vital for maintaining clean drinking water. More roadbuilding in roadless areas could also impact aquatic habitat, putting Wyoming's world-class fisheries at risk. 2. Wyoming's roadless areas are large, connected, and wild. Because they are not fragmented by roads, these areas provide critical habitat for many species that are vital to the health of our ecosystem including elk, mule deer, grizzly bear, and other iconic Wyoming species. 3. Roadless areas offer world-class outdoor recreation opportunities and solitude for adventures like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, backcountry skiing and horseback riding, many of which I participate in. 4. Opening backcountry forests to new roads and development will increase wildfire risk. Research shows that wildfires are four times likely to start in areas with roads. 5. Rescinding the Roadless Rule is fiscally irresponsible. The USFS already services over 300,000 miles of roads, and maintenance is costly. Removing Roadless Rule protections and adding roads will increase the already-massive maintenance backlog and likely increase the risk of wildfire ignitions. Once these forests are developed, they're forever changed. We must ensure the protection of forest roadless areas now so future generations can enjoy the same wild places, healthy ecosystems, and outdoor traditions we have today. Please keep the Roadless Rule in place. Marcia D. Fagnant Kemmerer, WY 83101