“414 animals and plants listed as endangered, threatened or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act have ranges that overlap with roadless areas”
“destroying our forests threatens our fellow Americans (e.g. eagles, owls, bears, etc.) that call those places their homes”
"I am the Lorax and I speak for the Trees"
I OPPOSE the Trump administration’s plans to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The roadless areas in our national forests are a part of our American heritage that we pass on to our children and grand children and should be protected.
As we celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, my ancestors fought the British/Loyalist in the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780 to defend our nascent country which meant I could grow up enjoying the Chattahoochee National Forest two hundred years later. Y'all should be protecting our forests, which are older than America, so that generations of Americans can have a similar experience that I did.
The proposed repeal is being justified as a wildfire-prevention measure, peer-reviewed evidence shows that increasing roadbuilding will only increase wildfires. More than 80% of wildfires occur within 800 meters of roads, according to recent research.
In addition, increasing timber production means cutting down larger, older trees, which are the most resilient to wildfire. Once an old-growth tree is cut and sold, it will take hundreds of years to replace it, and even longer for ecosystems to heal following clearcutting.
Forests, especially older trees that absorb and store more carbon, sustain fish, birds, wildlife, and people; filter drinking water, and provide recreational opportunities, which is why it is important for our national security to protect them from the harmful effects of climate change.
As many as 414 animals and plants listed as endangered, threatened or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act have ranges that overlap with roadless areas. Americans just mourned the loss of our beloved bald eagle Jackie and celebrated Fat Bear Week, destroying our forests threatens our fellow Americans (e.g. eagles, owls, bears, etc.) that call those places their homes. Mama bears send their cubs up trees to protect them from harm and Americans want them to be safe too so they can be future Fat Bear champions.
In addition to providing crucial wildlife habitat, roadless areas are very important for delivering clean water to fish-bearing streams and eventually into the faucets of many American homes.
Our forests are revenue generators for our economy. They are places where many Americans go to hike, ride, bike, fish and hunt – activities that fuel a $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy that supports over five million jobs. A recent economic study found that roadless areas in the continental United States (excluding Idaho and Colorado, which are covered under separate rules) generate $24 billion in economic benefits. In contrast, sales of timber from National Forests represent about 1% of that figure.
The benefits of this rule are so compelling that I am asking the Forest Service to KEEP this rule and not weaken it in any way. By doing this, we can promote wildlife conservation in this country and contribute to quality of life and economic security for our communities.
A few quotes from our fellow Americans about protecting trees and nature:
"To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as a people, we must have trees." - Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States who established the United States Forest Service
“Nature itself is reduced at times to a bargaining chip, a commodity to be bartered for economic or political gain. As a result, God’s creation turns into a battleground for the control of vital resources.” - Pope Leo XIV, our fellow American
"I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees" Dr. Seuss's The Lorax
When I Am Among The Trees
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine
Mary Oliver, 1935-2019