I strongly oppose eliminating the Roadless Rule.
I live in the North Georgia mountains, surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest, and I spend a great deal of time hiking its trails and Forest Service roads. These public lands aren't an abstract issue to me. They're part of my community, my daily life, and one of the reasons I chose to live here.
Roadless areas protect far more than scenery. They protect wildlife habitat, clean streams and watersheds, intact forests, and places where people can experience the quiet and wild character of our public lands. Once these areas are fragmented by new roads and development, we can't simply put them back the way they were.
Our national forests belong not just to those of us fortunate enough to enjoy them today, but to generations who haven't had that opportunity yet. Protecting remaining roadless areas is a responsible and remarkably modest thing we can do for them.
Please retain the Roadless Rule and continue protecting these public lands and natural resources.