Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
In Pennsylvania, the rule protects about 25,000 acres of the Allegheny National Forest—roughly 5% of the more than 500,000-acre forest. The Commonwealth's only national forest is full of mature and old-growth trees that provide important wildlife habitat. They’re home to unique places for low-impact, backcountry outdoor recreation, like hiking, fishing, and camping. And it's known as the "lungs of Pennsylvania" because the large tree canopy helps filter air and produce clean oxygen.
Many forests are open to logging, development, and other industrial uses. This portion
of the wild should remain held to a higher standard of protection so that trees can mature, rare species can thrive, and more people can enjoy our natural treasures and resources.
Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Keep our national forests wild.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Comitta
17 E Gay St West Chester, PA 19380-3144
carolyn.comitta@pasenate.com