Dear Secretary and Chief:
I am a college student studying forestry, I use these public lands on a monthly basis and once I graduate, l plan to work to protect them for future generations. As a conservationist, have observed that the administrative
architecture of the 2001 Rule its national scope, its inventory based approach, its exemptions framework reflects deliberate design choices made to withstand both legal challenge and political pressure The Department's proposal dismantles that architecture without replacing it.
44.5 million acres of roadless forests protected by the 2001 Roadless Rule (excluding Idaho and Colorado, under their own state rules) I stated before that I camp in these roadless areas, these areas are important to me and the local wildlife who depend on these habitats.
Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) is an endangered species and relies on these forests from these roadless rules. Removing these rules could further in danger or set this species to be extinct.
"Many native forest plant and animal species require undisturbed interior forest habitats to persist and do not fare as well near stand edges adjacent to disturbances. Disturbance edges were characterized as having higher soil moisture content, higher soil temperature, and a thinner organic matter layer compared to the forest interior (> 10 m). The interior habitat indicator values show that less than 30% of the Cold Lake area is currently classified as undisturbed due to over 6000 km of linear disturbances including roads."
— Springer Nature / Plant Ecology, 2024
Regarding the Coconino Rim in the Kaibab National Forest, Arizona which would be affected by this rule:
Kaibab National Forest's Coconino Rim IRA contains 50.3% coverage (~3,632 acres) of Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) (GNR), which NatureServe independently identifies as habitat for Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, G3). The species is separately documented present in the area. Road construction degrades this ecosystem and the imperiled species that depends on it.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus, G3) depends on the structural integrity of Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) in Coconino Rim for the specific life-history requirements NatureServe's ecological association identifies. Road construction disrupts canopy closure, soil structure, and moisture regimes — the ecosystem attributes that make this habitat functional for this species.
I’m going to college to join the first service when I get older and graduate. When I think of the forest service, I think of people who want to protect our lands for future generations to come and who enjoy taking care of our planet. I am deeply ashamed that the forest service would back this proposal, knowing the detrimental effects that could and will happen. We’re supposed to be here to protect nature who can’t speak up for themselves, we’re supposed to protect nature from greedy corporations that want to exploit our land more than it can give. "When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money." This quote is a Cree Native American prophecy and it still holds true today. Please remember why you joined the forest service, if we don’t protect our lands now we won’t have them for future generations to come. The wildlife that needs these habitats won’t have them anymore. We forget that we’re a part of the Earth too. We’re also animals and we rely on the Earth just as much as they do.
Yours truly,
Sydney Dillon
CommentID: RLC-20260930-MI8NIK