October 4, 2026
Joshua White, Acting Director
Ecosystem Management Coordination
201 14th Street SW, Mailstop 1108
Washington, DC 202250-1124
Re: 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule Rescission Draft EIS-RIN 0596-AD66
I James Waliser is providing comments on the proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Rule (Rule). I support the repeal of the rule and returning decisions for local NFS lands to the local National Forest units.
The Bitterroot National Forest is responsible for the lands under the current Rule in our local area. I have seen these watersheds degrade in their ability to withstand fire behavior and associated effects that presently occur in this climate and landscape. It is disturbing to see high severity fire effects across large landscapes that could have been prevented with proper management. I have also had reduced public recreation access on those same lands that have been used by generations. The taxpayer owns the land and deserves access for all individuals, including the elderly, handicapped and other groups that cannot hike into these areas. When a fire burns the same areas every few years and we then get heavy snowpack or rains the topsoil (plant support) gets washed away causing extreme harm not only to the land but our rivers and streams. Here in the Bitterroot National Forest many of the “roadless” areas are in fact roaded and were used by us and I would like to be able to ride these roads before I get too old and disabled.
Forest wide analysis would determine which acres can be managed and treated and how to best implement those actions. Of course, in the steep terrain on the Forest, some of the acres will naturally remain roadless. The Forest can make this determination with specialists and local expertise. Future project design would take this into account. The locals know how to best manage our forest not Washington.
In summary, I support Alternative 2 in the DEIS. We need local management of our Public Lands not controlled by Washington or the Federal Judges.
Sincerely,
James Waliser
199 Cordial Lane
Hamilton, MT 59840