“contains vast swaths of the country's remaining old-growth forest”
“significant carbon storage”
The comment
I am writing this comment to VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE the rescinding of the Roadless Rule. The impacts of this will be catastrophic for our natural areas and natural resources, which I use very frequently. Below are some of the negative impacts expected from the recision of this rule:
Drinking water: 60 million Americans rely on national forests for drinking water; intact forests filter water naturally
Wildlife habitat: habitat for salmon, trout, elk, and other species that depend on undammed, unlogged streams and connected landscapes
Wildfire risk: wildfires are 4x more likely to start near roads; roughly 90% of wildfires start within half a mile of a road. This fact directly rebuts the administration's stated rationale for rescinding this rule.
Old growth & carbon storage: contains vast swaths of the country's remaining old-growth forest and significant carbon storage
Fiscal responsibility: the existing road network already carries an $8.5+ billion maintenance backlog; building more roads adds to it
I recreate in our beautiful wild areas regularly and this will negatively impact recreation, hunting, fishing, and everyone's enjoyment of the pride of America, our stunning national parks.
Please keep the Roadless Rule and preserve out beautiful natural spaces for generations to come.