I oppose the rollback of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For more than two decades, this rule has protected much of the wildness that remains in our national forests. The protections have been particularly vital in the Midwest, where less than 200,000 acres of roadless, untrammeled forest lands survived the widespread logging of the past two centuries.
Shawnee National Forest is a particular gem with amazing landscape and biodiversity in a state that is mostly midwestern flat. It’s a place of quiet and beauty for those who need to touch base with nature after negotiating life in a hectic world. My visit there found people from Illinois and beyond of all ages and interests enjoying the National forest. This means these pristine lands are drawing tourist dollars and creating economic value - without adding more roads.
I urge you to stop rolling back protections for our public lands and leave our last wild forests intact. Please keep the Roadless Rule in place.
Sincerely,
Ms. Kristin Faust
1444 S Federal St Unit H Chicago, IL 60605-3059
kfaust1960@aol.com