As a life-long Pennsylvania resident, former DCNR employee in both forestry and state parks, past director of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Environmental Education, avid hiker, and biker, I find no compelling reason to open protected national forest land to development, nor to rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Allegheny National Forest is a Pennsylvania jewel, providing habitat for wildlife, a source of clean water, as well as a pristine area for recreation.
Conservation regulations were enacted to protect our wild areas. Needless development of these areas under the guise of progress, economic improvement, or whatever other excuse to develop might be offered would be a disaster. Industrial activity would destroy the trees and trails we love. Let Mr. Trump's developer friends make their money by improving Pennsylvania's existing infrastructure. Keep hands off the Allegheny National Forest and other areas like it around our country.
Please maintain protections for the 45 million acres of wild and roadless forests and don’t rescind or alter the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Sincerely,
Dennis P. Bechard
143 S Broad St Waynesboro, PA 17268-1660
dpb.wboro@gmail.com