Dear Secretary Rollins,
I am writing to oppose rescinding the Roadless Rule (RR). I live in Lane County, Oregon and 2 of my favorite hiking spots in Willamette National Forest are protected by the RR---Hardesty Mountain and Iron Mountain. I go to these spots for the beauty, the peacefulness and to look for wildflowers and wildlife, especially birds.
Once roads are cut into an area, logging, mining and other development will eventually take place. Meanwhile, the roads themselves cause erosion which adds sediments to the streams and rivers that provide drinking water to thousands of Oregon residents. Healthy, clean drinking should be a right, not a privilege.
Additionally, building more roads into pristine forest lands would significantly increase human access. Data from several sources indicates that the vast majority of wildfires are caused by human activity. This includes use of equipment; power lines; negligence with campfires and cigarettes; and arson.
Nationwide the RR protects nearly 45 million acres of remaining intact forest ecosystems. Once lost these ecosystems are irreplaceable on a human timeline.
For the above reasons and in fairness to futures generations, I urge you to retain the RR.
Thank you for considering my input on this topic
Carolyn Partridge