FS-2025-0001-555265

To whom it may concern, I am an outdoor enthusiast from Billings Montana, and I am writing to oppose the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule. The rule protects nearly 6 million acres of federal land in Montana , including places like the Crazy Mountains and the Beartooth Front near Red Lodge. These lands are the reason many of us live here. I regularly hike and bike in the Beartooths and have backpacked through the Crazy Mountains. These areas and invaluable and need to be preserved in all their glory for future generations. Roadless areas matter for specific, practical reasons: ∙Wildlife and fish. Bull trout spawn mainly in streams within roadless and wilderness areas , and these lands are core habitat for elk, mule deer, and grizzlies. With grizzly management possibly shifting to the states, removing habitat protections now is the wrong move. ∙Clean water. Intact, unroaded watersheds feed the rivers our communities and irrigators rely on. ∙Hunting, fishing, and our economy. Roadless backcountry supports Montana’s outdoor recreation economy and its hunting and angling heritage. ∙Public support. During last fall’s comment period, 99% of more than 625,000 comments opposed rescission , and a University of Montana poll showed broad bipartisan support for keeping the rule . I understand concerns about wildfire and forest health. But the rule already allows thinning and fire-protection work where it’s needed, and building new roads into remote country adds ignition sources, invasive weeds, and long-term maintenance costs the Forest Service struggles to cover today. Blanket repeal is not a targeted solution. Please withdraw the proposal and keep the Roadless Rule in place. If changes are considered, they should be made through a transparent, locally informed process, not wholesale repeal. Thank you for considering my comment. Sincerely, Lindsay Cantwell Billings, MT