Dear Chief Tom Schultz:
I am writing to express my objection to rescinding the roadless rule. It is vital that these areas of National Forest Land be protected from the potential damage that would be likely if the roadless rule is rescinded.
Regarding the South Mills River in the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina:
Rare Plant Habitat in Cove Forest and Wetland Transition Zones — The area's diverse forest types—Rich Cove Forest, Acidic Cove Forest, and Canada Hemlock Forest—support multiple federally protected plants including Small Whorled Pogonia and Swamp Pink (both federally threatened), as well as critically endangered species like Green Pitcher Plant and imperiled Oconee Bells. These species occupy specific microclimates and soil conditions found in undisturbed cove forests and wetland-upland transitions; road construction and the associated fill, drainage, and soil disturbance would destroy the precise hydrological and edaphic conditions these plants depend on, and these conditions cannot be recreated once lost.
Rescinding the Roadless Rule would open the South Mills River, Pisgah National Forest to road construction and associated ground disturbance. The direct and indirect effects of that activity are precisely what makes a specific comment about this area necessary.
It is important that sufficient areas of the National Forest are protected from overreach, overuse, damage to watersheds, unnecessary logging, and irresponsible forms of recreation that harm the natural environment. I live near Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina and am an avid outdoor person who strives to enjoy the beauty of nature without imposing strain on the fragile ecosystems that will be deeply and adversely affected by rescinding the roadless rule. Please take into account the overwhelming public objection to rescinding the roadless rule. People in our United States care about the environment and should be respected for these well considered and researched arguments to keep and hopefully expand the roadless areas of the National Forest System. Many public acres are already available for the other uses intended by this proposed reversal of the widely supported roadless rule. Share the public lands and maintain support for the roadless rule.
Regards, Matthew Runningen
Respectfully,
CommentID: RLC-20261007-XUESWW