FS-2025-0001-594435

As a PCT'19 alumni and wildands advocate, I oppose the repeal of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. There are 63 roadless areas along 288 miles of the PCT in California, Oregon and Washington. These miles represent roughly 11% of the trail. Roadless areas provide clean drinking water to 60 million Americans. This also provides connected wildlife corridors and undisturbed natural connected ecosytems. These undeveloped lands are critical to our nation’s ecological health.  These areas store 20% of all carbon in U.S. national forests. Roadless areas offer abundant outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking hunting, fishing, camping and other activities. Every year, millions of people take advantage of the free (or extremely affordable) access to these public lands. The outdoor recreation economy generates $730 billion annually, far more than timber sales. Roadless areas are crucial habitat for 1,600+ threatened species. We already have 370,000 miles of forest roads with a multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog. Studies show wildfire ignitions are 4x more likely near roads than in roadless areas Please keep these roadless areas roadless! Deep Creek IRA—San Bernardino National Forest: On the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Starting at 6,200 feet above sea level, the stream through the IRA drops about 3,000 ft through dramatic canyons in its 22-mile course before flowing into the East Fork of the Mojave River. It includes deep pools and hot springs and is a popular spot for day hikers. South Sierra IRA—Inyo National Forest: On the PCT and near the South Fork of the Kern River. San Joaquin IRA—Inyo National Forest: Red’s Meadow is a beloved respite along the PCT and a starting point for horse packers at the Agnew Meadows Pack Station. Dardanelles IRA—Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit: Nearly the entire PCT from Carson Pass to Echo Summit is in this roadless area. Granite Chief IRA—Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit: Heading north from Barker Pass, the PCT, and the contiguous Tahoe Rim Trail climb to dramatic ridgelines, yielding dreamlike views of Lake Tahoe amidst red fir and hemlock forests. Further north, the trail enters Granite Chief Wilderness and intersects the Western States Trail. Areas between Granite Chief Wilderness and Donner Pass are within this IRA, jeopardizing views enjoyed by thru-hikers, day hikers, and even skiers who use Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe’s largest ski park. Mount Eddy IRA—Shasta-Trinity National Forest: Just across the valley from Mount Shasta, Mount Eddy is the tallest peak along the Trinity Divide, and the tallest peak in CA west of I-5. This subrange of the Klamath Mountains features a unique landscape of towering granite spires, lush evergreen forests, and alpine lakes deep in glacier-carved cirques. The area is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service and was established as a Research Natural Area (RNA) to study its ecological significance, serving as the headwaters for the North Fork Sacramento River. Grider IRA—Klamath National Forest: This is a popular area for campers and day hikers along the creek, which feeds the Klamath River. Severely burned in the 2014 Happy Camp Complex, the regrowing brush gives way to large stands of surviving trees, and the sound of rushing water is a constant along the trail. The area has already been the subject of a legal fight over logging. Norse Peak IRA—Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: Next to Mount Ranier National Park, Sheep Lake is a picturesque alpine lake and a welcome destination for families for swimming, backpacking and camping. The hike to the lake is a gentle, 1.8-mile climb past summer wildflowers and red huckleberry plants in the fall, with great views of the Rainier fork of the American River, Mount Rainier, and Naches Peak. Liberty Bell IRA—Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: Some 30 miles of the PCT from Rainy Pass to Harts Pass, including the popular day hike to Cutthroat Pass, are within this large IRA. Situated in the heart of the North Cascades, this area is home to the mighty Methow River, many alpine passes, and some of the highest elevation stretches of the PCT in Washington.