I am writing to formally express my strong opposition to any effort to fully or partially rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
As a resident of Upstate South Carolina, I have a deep personal and civic interest in the protection of our National Forests. My family and I regularly hike, kayak, and camp in the Pisgah, Nantahala, and Sumter National Forests, and our family owns property adjacent to the Sumter National Forest in Oconee County, South Carolina. These forests are essential resources for wildlife, recreation, clean water, and the long-term well-being of communities throughout the region.
Allowing increased road construction, logging, and other development in inventoried roadless areas would result in permanent fragmentation of these landscapes and the loss of important ecological and recreational values. Our region has already experienced the consequences of forest disturbance, including erosion, landslides, and increased wildfire risk. Protecting intact forestlands is a critical component of protecting our watersheds and reducing these risks.
The importance of these lands extends well beyond recreation. National Forests provide drinking water for numerous communities, support wildlife and hunting, and contribute significantly to local economies through tourism and outdoor recreation. Degradation of these forests would impose tangible costs on communities, residents, businesses, and future generations.
I therefore respectfully urge the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reject the proposed rescission contemplated under Alternatives 2 and 3 of the draft Environmental Impact Statement and to maintain strong, permanent protections for all inventoried roadless areas.
These lands represent an irreplaceable public trust. Their protection is in the long-term interest of our communities, our natural resources, and future generations.
Thank you for your consideration of my concerns and for your commitment to responsible stewardship of our National Forests.