Please under no circumstances can this rule be rescinded. It would destroy the natural beauty of this nation and wreak havoc on ecosystems and local economies. Loss of natural habitat would lead to reduced crop yields as local climate and weather is often tied very closely to the vitality and diversity of local ecosystems. These forests also provide a significant carbon sink and whether you believe it or not climate change is going to keep getting worse (it’s settled scientific fact something this department should care about). Reducing forest land will accelerate it. All the profits developers are seeking by scrapping this rule mean nothing if the world they create is unlivable.
Also, I take issue with the decision that this would not affect American families. Outdoor recreation represents a huge variety of family activities which support their health and happiness. Removing this rule would decimate the ability for families to enjoy these beautiful natural habitats all in the name of profits for a handful of greedy corporations. It’s unconscionably immoral what you are trying to do here and I hope the hundreds of thousands of comments you got make you realize that. I also guarantee that millions of comments would flood in if more people knew about this but it seems as though the government and media are uninterested in getting the word out about this rule change. Nobody likes this.