“last remaining strongholds for endanger salmon and steelhead trout”
“opening of access for exploitation”
“stronger protection”
The comment
U.S. Department of agriculture and Forest Service
Director, Ecosystems Management Coordination
201 14th street SW, Mailstop 1108
Washington, DC 20250-1124
RE: Comments Opposing Proposed Repeal of 2001 Roadless Rule
Docket FS-2025-0001
To U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service,
I submit this comment in strong opposition to the Department’s proposed recession of the Roadless Rule, published at Fed. Reg. 53827 (Aug. 20, 2026). USDA should withdrew the proposal in its entirety and select the “no action” alternative in the final environmental impact statement and Record of Decision.
Without elaboration, here are some of the issues that support my comments:
The roadless areas generally, but in particular the watersheds of the Clearwater and Salmon Rivers in central Idaho, provide the last remaining strongholds for endanger salmon and steelhead trout in the lower 48 states. These areas require stronger protection rather than the opening of access for exploitation.
The Forest Service’s inventory of existing roads, culverts and bridges carries an enormous backlog of overdue maintenance. The service has neither the budget nor manpower to address those existing condition. Needless to say there is neither the demand, will nor funding to build and maintain new roads.
The vast majority of wildfires in the National Forest are human caused. Building more roads increases the risk of human caused fire in steep and remote back country. The Service should focus on access and fire prevention at the urban interface where life and property is most seriously in jeopardy.
There are a great many other reason that the Rule should not be rescinded, but basically it’s just a dumb idea. Please use the Forest Service expertise to solve their existing challenges and not create more.
G. Harvey Morrison
3805 S. Lamonte Street
Spokane, WA 99203