I oppose the proposed rescission of the Roadless Rule. As a scientist, I recognize the importance of preserving roadless areas for wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and conserving wild spaces within our national forests. As a physician, I recognize the importance of conserving forests in the context of climate change and its impacts on health. Repealing the Roadless Rule would cause release of stored carbon [1], worsening the impacts of climate change we are already seeing in Wisconsin [2], including more frequent wildfires, wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and severe storms.
As a Wisconsinite, I also recognize the importance of roadless areas in preserving our national forests for a broad range of outdoor recreation [3] and their natural beauty. My family and I greatly appreciate the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and it would be a great loss to see any portion of this forest, and others like it, damaged unnecessarily by rescinding the Roadless Rule.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit a comment.
Sincerely,
Kaitlin Sundling, MD, PhD
References
1.Wentz J, Burger M. Several Key Problems with the Forest Services’ Proposed Repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Climate Law Blog. September 3, 2026. Accessed October 5, 2026. https://blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechange/2026/09/03/several-key-problems-with-the-forest-services-proposed-repeal-of-the-roadless-area-conservation-rule/
2.Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts. 2021 Assessment Report: Wisconsin’s Changing Climate | Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI). University of Wisconsin-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed May 23, 2025. https://wicci.wisc.edu/2021-assessment-report/
3.Neuswanger D. Letter: Keep Roadless Area Conservation Rule Intact on National Forests. APG of Wisconsin. September 30, 2026. Accessed October 5, 2026. https://www.apg-wi.com/sawyer_county_record/paywall/letter-keep-roadless-area-conservation-rule-intact-on-national-forests/article_f356b60b-857c-4cec-8585-d8fd5629fd02.html