I strongly oppose rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule. As a Tucson resident who spends much of my time hiking, trail running, mountain biking, climbing, and exploring Southern Arizona, I deeply value the wild lands protected by this rule.
The Coronado National Forest’s roadless areas—including the Catalinas, Rincons, Santa Ritas, Whetstones, Cochise Stronghold, and Chiricahuas—are not just empty acres on a map. They are places where people experience wildlife, solitude, clean air, dark skies, and landscapes that remain largely wild.
Removing these protections could open millions of acres to increased road construction and development, permanently changing places that cannot be replaced once fragmented.
We can address wildfire and forest health without sacrificing some of Arizona’s most treasured wild landscapes. Please retain the 2001 Roadless Rule and protect these lands for future generations.