Comment Analysis · Docket FS-2025-0001

FS-2025-0001-530504

Opposes rescissionA0 noneSubstance 7/24Posted October 1, 2026 On Regulations.gov

In short: The comment establishes the commenter's personal connection to and standing regarding specific national forests (Osceola, Apalachicola, and Mt Hood) while opposing the rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

Scored directly — The comment's whole text was scored on its own.

Scorecard

Each dimension is scored 0–3; the eight sum to the substance score out of 24.

  • Specific placeNames a specific location — from a region down to an exact creek, trail, road, or map reference.
  • Local knowledgeDraws on a first-hand connection to the place — visits, sustained activity, occupation, or a professional role.
  • EA analysisEngages the agency's environmental analysis directly.
  • Analytical gapIdentifies something the analysis fails to address.
  • EvidenceBacks claims with specific facts, data, or research.
  • RequestMakes a specific, actionable request of the agency.
  • AlternativeProposes a different course of action.
  • LegalCites statutes, regulations, or legal obligations.

How hard it is to set aside

A0 none: Counted, not answered.

Still open to the agency

  • Alternative already eliminated The agency says it considered and eliminated the alternative the comment proposes, with a reason. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
  • Already addressed The agency says its analysis already covers the point. Defeated when the comment cites the law itself: there is no analysis to cite against a statutory claim.
  • Deferred to a later decision The agency says the point belongs to a later, site-specific decision. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
  • Misreads the proposal The agency says the comment misunderstands what is proposed. Defeated when the comment engages the proposal or a named place directly.
  • Not required The agency says the analysis the comment asks for is not required. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
  • Preference noted The agency notes the comment as a statement of preference and takes no action on it. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
  • No cause and effect shown The agency says the comment asserts a harm without showing how the action causes it. Defeated when the comment shows the mechanism.
  • Outside the scope The agency says the comment asks about a different action. Defeated when the comment is specific and tied to this proposal.
  • Certified not substantive The agency certifies the comment raises nothing substantive. Defeated when the comment alleges illegality, which is substantive by the definition the certification runs on.

Topics

  • Wildlife Habitat
    • “Unfragmented forest habitats help not only the animals”
    • “imperiled species like Northern Spotted Owls, Marbled Murrelets”
    • “Salmon, trout, elk, and other species are also threatened when habitat is fragmented”
  • Water Quality Quantity
    • “60 million Americans rely on national forests for drinking water”
    • “intact forests filter water naturally”
    • “Many inventoried roadless areas are important parts of watersheds”
  • Climate Carbon Storage
    • “mature and old-growth forests are a critical buffer against runaway climate change”
    • “We should be protecting more forests, not gutting their protections”
  • Recreation Tourism Public Use
    • “Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities”
    • “millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access”
    • “roadless areas contribute millions of dollars to local economies through the recreation industry”

What it names

National Forests
Apalachicola National ForestOsceola National Forest

The comment

Shaded passages are the ones the analysis quoted as evidence for a dimension: Specific placeLocal knowledgeRequest

Dear USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, I am writing today in opposition to rescinding or altering the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. I am a teacher, birder, and environmentalist and I am joining millions of Americans of all backgrounds in support of the Roadless Rule. Having grown up in Florida visiting Osceola National Forest and Apalachicola National Forest, and now living in Oregon visiting Mt Hood National Forest, intact forests have shaped my love of nature since I was a child. Unfragmented forest habitats help not only the animals that live in them, but also the humans and businesses around them. Inventoried Roadless Areas offer tremendous benefits to communities and ecosystems that would be threatened or destroyed by road building. Here are just a few examples of the benefits of retaining the Roadless Rule. Wildlife habitat: imperiled species like Northern Spotted Owls, Marbled Murrelets, and countless other birds rely on large, intact forests with undammed, unlogged streams and connected landscapes. Salmon, trout, elk, and other species are also threatened when habitat is fragmented Drinking water: 60 million Americans rely on national forests for drinking water; intact forests filter water naturally. Many inventoried roadless areas are important parts of watersheds. Wildfire risk: wildfires are 4x more likely to start near roads; roughly 90% of wildfires are human caused and start within half a mile of a road — these facts directly contradict one of your agency’s main stated rationales for rescinding the rule. Old growth & carbon storage: mature and old-growth forests are a critical buffer against runaway climate change. We should be protecting more forests, not gutting their protections. Additionally, these forests are far more resilient to wildfires than commercially logged forests. Outdoor Recreation: Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands, and roadless areas contribute millions of dollars to local economies through the recreation industry. Fiscal Responsibility – Roads are costly. Building new logging roads in remote backcountry areas is extraordinarily expensive, leaving taxpayers with billions of dollars in long-term maintenance costs for roads that are rarely, if ever, used (the existing road network already carries an $8.5+ billion maintenance backlog). The road network throughout national forests is already massive and should be reduced instead of expanded. I urge you to keep the Roadless Rule in place as it is. Thank you for your time.

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