“Do not diminish the value... by making it easy for mining or logging or other commercial interests to access and exploit them”
“Do not defile our lands further by increasing the number of roads”
The comment
I support the current Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The current Roadless Rule helps to protect public land from threats to its protected water and wildlife, from human caused fire and from developments that decrease its value to this citizen who cherishes and enjoys wild lands.
Our dry western lands are under threat. The Roadless Rule helps to protect our decreasing water resources on public lands. It supports the genetic connectivity that wildlife species need to survive. Limiting roads decreases the threat of accidental or intentional human-caused fire ignitions. Many of us who live in the western United States recreate in remote public lands. We are willing to put in the energy to access these lands because we know that they are untrammeled and provide home for creatures and plants we value. They have deep inherent value to us.
The U S Forest Service has a huge backlog of work needed to maintain current roads on the public lands it manages. It has not been provided with the money to do this. Do not defile our lands further by increasing the number of roads.
Do not diminish the value of our federally owned lands (read: owned by us, the citizens of the United States) by making it easy for mining or logging or other commercial interests to access and exploit them.
Maintain the current Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
Sincerely,
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