Dear USDA Secretary Rollins,
I strongly urge you to keep the 2001 Roadless Rule in tact, protecting 45 million acres of National Forest Service lands.
This rule is incredible important for a variety of reasons. To me, one of the most important reasons is wildfire mitigation. Wildfires are four times more likely to happen in roaded forests and often happen within a half mile of the road. We should be focused on stopping wildfires before they even start, rather than having to get into the forest to put the fires out. Another reason to protect these areas is water quality protection. Our waters are vital for the health and well being of nearby communities and the plants and animals who call those places home. More roads will increase runoff of harmful chemicals from cars to these water systems, as well as increase the turbidity from construction.
As a conservationist, I've led hikes in the Santa Fe National Forest and the Lincoln National Forests in New Mexico in Inventoried Roadless Areas and have seen how beautiful these areas are and shared that beauty with other folks from around New Mexico.
Please keep the Roadless Rule in place for generations to come.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Shelby Bazan, New Mexico