Small family — One letter sent by 3 to 9 people, copied or lightly reworded. One of 4 submissions in its group; the sender added words of their own. See the letter, its submissions and topics.
Carries the letter's score — A copy of a family's letter; it holds the score and answerability level of the letter it sent.
Scorecard
Each dimension is scored 0–3; the eight sum to the substance score out of 24.
- Specific placeNames a specific location — from a region down to an exact creek, trail, road, or map reference.
- Local knowledgeDraws on a first-hand connection to the place — visits, sustained activity, occupation, or a professional role.
- EA analysisEngages the agency's environmental analysis directly.
- Analytical gapIdentifies something the analysis fails to address.
- EvidenceBacks claims with specific facts, data, or research.
- RequestMakes a specific, actionable request of the agency.
- AlternativeProposes a different course of action.
- LegalCites statutes, regulations, or legal obligations.
How hard it is to set aside
A2 moderate: Hard to dismiss — it shows cause and effect. This rating is the one its shared letter earned.
Owed an answer on Analytical gap, Evidence.
Standard dismissals it defeats
- Misreads the proposal The agency says the comment misunderstands what is proposed. Defeated when the comment engages the proposal or a named place directly.
- No cause and effect shown The agency says the comment asserts a harm without showing how the action causes it. Defeated when the comment shows the mechanism.
- Outside the scope The agency says the comment asks about a different action. Defeated when the comment is specific and tied to this proposal.
Still open to the agency
- Alternative already eliminated The agency says it considered and eliminated the alternative the comment proposes, with a reason. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
- Already addressed The agency says its analysis already covers the point. Defeated when the comment cites the law itself: there is no analysis to cite against a statutory claim.
- Deferred to a later decision The agency says the point belongs to a later, site-specific decision. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
- Not required The agency says the analysis the comment asks for is not required. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
- Preference noted The agency notes the comment as a statement of preference and takes no action on it. Cannot be defeated from the comment text alone.
- Certified not substantive The agency certifies the comment raises nothing substantive. Defeated when the comment alleges illegality, which is substantive by the definition the certification runs on.
Topics
- Legal Regulatory Framework
- “small-business certification contradicts the analysis”
- “reliance interests are invited and never assessed”
- “purpose written as deregulation forecloses the comparison NEPA requires”
- “agency must assess the reliance interests its prior policy created”
- Forest Management Wildfire
- “agency's own fire data cuts against the proposal”
- “human-caused ignition density is 22.4 fires per million acres per year on roaded National Forest System land”
- “road access could increase the number and frequency of wildfires”
- “WUI-targeted alternative was rejected”
- Recreation Tourism Public Use
- “I hike and camp in these areas”
- “small outfitters and guides who work this same country”
- “lost recreation benefit at a minimum of $6.1 million a year”
- “I plan to visit these areas and am counting on protection”
- Environmental Protection Biodiversity
- “The most magical and inspiring places are the ones we have left alone”
- “Untouched land is extremely important to the well-being of the world”
- “need stronger protections for our public lands”
- “should not be creating more road”