To whom it may Concern:
My name is Tyler of Kelseyville CA, and this is my comment on the proposed changes to the “Roadless Rule”.
I live near Mendocino National Forest, an immensely beautiful natural space which would be threatened under the proposed changes. I regularly hike, swim, and birdwatch there, my favorite memory in this Forest is when I heard a “robot” sort of sound to only realize it was an Anna’s Hummingbird. Mendocino National Forest provides a place for families to gather, fathers to fish and hunt with their kids, and a place to watch birds and other wildlife (which is now counted as one of the most common forms of recreation among a Americans, with 1 in 3 regularly watching wildlife. ) All while bringing economic Stability - as our area relies heavily on Ecotourism.
Under the proposed changes to the
"Roadless Rule", Mendocino National Forest would be opened for logging and other resource extraction, which would emperil my ability to hike, swim, and birdwatch - if not completely stop me from doing so.
Currently, the logging of our National Forests costs taxpayers $2 Billion dollars annually*, on top of degrading water quality**.
( * 2019 report by the Center for a Sustainable Economy.
** 2023 report published by Dr. Muhammad Sharif.)
It is for these reasons (and more) that I oppose any and all changes to the “Roadless Rule”.