I oppose the proposal to fully or partially rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (66 FR 3244).
My name is Patricia Ann Johnson, of Blue Lake, California. In addition to seeking solitude in remote locations as a national forest recreator, I live in the lower watersheds of approximately 150,000 acres of Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) of the Six Rivers National Forest. As a community adjacent this IRA we depend on the rivers whose headwaters lie in the conservation landscapes, for our drinking water. It is essential for the health of our community these rivers remain flowing, clear and clean; and for the salmon who return home to spawn in these rivers. Building new roads, opening access to closed forest landscapes, and allowing more motorized access across roads, jeopardizes our clean water. It is proven fact that existing forest roads contribute a staggering amount of sediment into surrounding watersheds. More roads, equals more use – of all kinds. Increased human use has been proven to negatively impact natural areas, exposing and drying soil, causing erosion, and increasing wildfire ignition; all from roads. Rescinding the Roadless Conservation Rule is a dis-service to my community and all the communities of Northwestern California for this reason. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service in part is “to sustain the health of the nations forests” … to meet the needs of present and future generations; roads are not healthy, for any reason. These forest are more valuable left alone!
I support the No Action Alternative.
The risks of rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule do not meet the agency mission, will jeopardize clean water with sediment and erosion in waterways and increase a decline in watershed health, and will increase human use, which is synonymous with wildfire ignition.