The forest is a national resource that has benefits for all Americans even if they do not actively draw on it. The forest supply clean water into the waterways around them. This clean water helps dilute water that is contributed to water ways from outside the forest before it is harvested by municipalities down stream. In Washington County Tennessee municipal water is gathered from a spring that is charged by ground water coming from the mostly undisturbed Cherokee National Forest surrounding it. The spring is located at the base of Unaka Mountain in Unicoi County. This water is distributed in Washington and Unicoi Counties. Water for Washington County is also collected from the Nolichuckey River near Jonesburough Tennessee. This water benefits heavily from clean tributaries in the Cherokee and Pisgah forest. In this instance the forestry plans of two seperate forests would have an impact on water quality in the Nolichuckey River.
The sale of timber from any region of the United State has an impact on timber prices for the whole of the market. Not only does it affect the value of timber currently being harvested but it also affects the value of timber assets being held privately. The sale of timber in one region affects values in other regions. What may be seen as a benefit for a local economy could also be a determent to the timber economy in another area. Management plans should have national oversite for their impacts outside of the region they are constructed for to assess any negative outcomes being produced in other areas of the country.
The forests draw visitors from all over the country and the world. Roan Mountain in the Cherokee and Pisgah forest is an example of this. Decisions for an area like this should have oversite at a national level as any decision affects forest users from all around the country and the world and not just the population surrounding the immediate area,
I believe firmly that the Roadless Rule should stay in effect. Management plans should have review on a national level because decision made in any area affect economies and populations in other areas.