I am a retired attorney for the United States Department of Interior. I oppose rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule, and I urge the Forest Service to adopt the no action alternative from its Draft EIS.
I have hunted, fished, foraged, biked, hiked and camped in National Forests in Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, South Dakota and California.
Forest management has been a dinner table conversation ever since I can remember. My father taught forestry at Humboldt State, and my son is now a forester in New Zealand. My other son is a fishing guide who relies on the clean waters of the Willamette National Forest for his business. Forest health is a frequest topic of discussion.
The full range of services provided by National Forests, especially roadless areas, must be taken into account before deciding which DEIS alternative to choose.
Roadless areas protect watersheds and promote water quality. They provide key habitat for all wildlife, including many endangered and threatened species. This is especially true of old growth forests. Road noise and road disruption limit suitable habitat for many species, including the elk and deer I hunt. Roadless areas support local communities by providing recreational opportunities, especially for nearby residents, and by attracting recreation dollars to those communities.
Our National Forests provide cultural and communal values for all Americans. For example, my family has enjoyed picking huckleberries in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southern Oregon for at least four generations. For over 80 years, we have harvested Christmas trees on National Forests in Oregon and Colorado. These are cherished cultural activities for us and other families. Our National Forests do not need more roads to accommodate these activities.
While many of our forests are overloaded with fuel, studies show that new roads do not limit forest fires. In fact, new roads are likely to increase human-caused wildfires. Fires are four times more likely in areas with roads. Also, NOAA reports that this summer of 2026 is now officially the hottest summer since records have been kept. Trees cool the atmosphere and promote healthy air. We need to be planting trees, not falling them.
For these reasons, I urge the USDA to adopt the no action alternative.