I adamantly oppose the proposed rescission of the roadless rule.
The reasons for its popularity and usefulness are numerous, and have been well described by many commenters and proponents for keeping and legislating the rule. I support all of the comments submitted in opposition of its rescission.
These public lands belong to all Americans. As more and more of our country is fragmented by development and roads, there are fewer and fewer public landscapes for regular folk to visit for a remote experience. Hunters, hikers, bikers, wildlife watchers, anglers, botanists, campers, and more visit these areas for experiences that exemplify the American experience in the natural world. These lands represent our heritage and our legacy. For many folks—like me— these roadless areas are destinations for spiritual solace. As our world continues exploding in population and resource extraction, roadless areas increase in value for their counter properties of “lands left alone” and minimal management.
These roadless lands serve many roles that protect environmental functions upon which millions of Americans rely. Namely, they serve as filtrates that provide clean water. They provide habitat for endangered species.
And, given the stated reason for rescinding the roadless rule, there is all the more reason to keep it in place. Fire study after fire study has shown that wildfire is more prevalent in roaded areas, where fire is often a consequence of human carelessness. It is counterproductive and nonsensical to build roads that will ultimately increase the incidence of wildfire.
Personally, I look out at 2 roadless areas from my home—Adams Peak and Threes Sisters which are both in the Pedlar District of the George Washington Jefferson National Forest. Three Sisters is bordered by the Appalachian Trail, and offers a stellar remote experience. Going off trail down into the coves you feel like you are out in some western mountains in the middle of nowhere—a very special adventure. I also hike and bushwhack in the Adams Peak Roadless Area which feels very different from Three Sisters, and where ridge tops provide views of layers of mountains without visible development. Both areas offer migratory birds either stopover or breeding habitat, as well as to resident birds, that has not been compromised by the existence of roads, structure, and human disturbance.
Over the years I have sought out and hiked in many of the roadless areas in both the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and in the Monongahela National Forest. I prefer these public lands where I can get a good sense of the Appalachian Forests, and I feel immense gratitude that we have these mostly undeveloped areas, and believe that they should retain their roadless status for the benefits of both wildlife and future generations of people like me who prefer and revere these areas.
Finally, the backlog of maintenance required on forest service roads is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. These roads that are not maintained erode and contribute to degraded water quality.
I urge you to reevaluate the proposal to rescind the roadies rule, and as a benefit to all Americans, to rather recommend legislation of the Roadless Rule.
Thank you for considering my comments.