Hello,
I'm very strongly opposed to the repeal of the roadless rule because it will allow an easy pathway for extractive industry to permanently degrade the wilderness characteristic of our beautiful public lands. There's nothing I look forward to in this life more than getting far removed from the confines of civilization and completely separating myself from the artificial, human-constructed world. I'm not a spiritual person, but these places feel sacred to me, and the addition of human infrastructure to these wiped and untarnished places is an affront to the sanctity of these wild places. I'd happily pay significantly more for my goods and services and contribute more to taxes if it meant we could reserve more totally wild, untarnished land. I've spent many weekends and vacations exploring wilderness areas local to me and afar, including the Dolly Sods wilderness, Roaring Plains Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, the Great Dismal Swamp, and many other places both local and far away that are worth more than money to me. Hiking trails are are as much development as is appropriate for these places. It was extremely disheartening to witness the clear-cutting of forest off of Squirrel Gap Road near Wardensville West Virginia, that I can't help but respect was facilitated by the road that runs through the area. I can't help but lose hope for the future every time we move toward the removal of these wild places for some quick flash-in-the-pan monetary benefit. I'm an east-coaster from Maryland that spends a lot of time daydreaming of my trips out to the great, untamed American west, and I would very passionately support efforts to maintain minimally impacted wildlands with intact old growth forest and minerals beneath unspoiled ground. I will campaign vigorously against any politicians in my jurisdiction that is in favor of the repeal of the roadless rule. I will contribute financially to the campaigns of politicians that oppose this rule, no matter what party they come from. This is my single issue of concern.