To the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Agriculture,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to rescind or weaken the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
I am an outdoor enthusiast and outdoor educator based in Chardon Ohio, and public lands are an important part of both my personal life and my work. I hike extensively in national forests and regularly lead youth groups on outdoor experiences in the Allegheny National Forest, White Mountain National Forest, and Monongahela National Forest. These forests provide opportunities not only for recreation, but also for young people to develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and their responsibility to care for it.
From my experience spending significant time in these forests, I value the opportunity to experience large, relatively undeveloped landscapes where people can hike, explore, and learn without the presence of extensive roads and development. Roadless areas also provide important habitat and help protect watersheds and the quality of our water. Expanding roads into these areas would fragment intact landscapes, affect wildlife habitat, and create long-term infrastructure and maintenance costs.
The remaining roadless areas in our national forests are a valuable and limited public resource. Once roads and other development are introduced into these places, their character is difficult or impossible to restore.
I urge the Forest Service to withdraw this proposal and maintain the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Sincerely,
Tatiana Yudovina
Chardon, Ohio
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