I strongly oppose any efforts to rescind or weaken the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As a backpacker, trail runner, hiker, and mountain athlete who values public lands and relies on inventoried roadless areas near Tahoe National Forest, Inyo National Forest, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, etc., protecting these landscapes is vital. These places hold a special place in my heart as well as many other US citizen's hearts. Access to untouched public lands is crucial to the wellbeing of the US as a whole. It is so vital to be able to teach ourselves and future generations about these lands and the wildlife, agriculture, and culture they hold.
Key reasons to maintain protections include:
• Safeguarding critical municipal watersheds and clean drinking water.
• Providing essential, unfragmented wildlife and plant habitats.
• Acting as natural fire buffers and supporting local recreation economies.
I urge the U.S. Forest Service to maintain full, permanent protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas.
Sincerely,
Oli Pakes
Oakland, California