I am vehemently opposed to the proposal to fully or partially rescind the Roadless Rule.
Sam Knob in Pisgah National Forest is a place that my family explores, recreates, and stewards. It’s a place full of delicate native plant life, animals, and trails.
I have spent many years dedicated to learning about the biodiversity of this region and the ins and outs of native plant and animal life. I am a former student of the UNC botany program and a 4 year volunteer with the national parks service, where I act as a citizen scientist by gathering wildflower phenology data alongside a dedicated team of volunteers like myself. I live nestled amongst the Great Smoky Mountains, Nantahala, and Pisgah National Forests and I consider all three an extension of my own backyard.
Our state is already overrun with unregulated development and urban sprawl. Wild spaces are sacred not only to North Carolinians, but to human civilization as a whole. Wild land like this is essential for our long term success and happiness.
There is substantial research showing that logging is not beneficial to our forests. There is a three decade long study that shows correlation between logging and increased wildfires. Ultimately, logging will not help decrease wildfire numbers, in fact it would have the opposite effect. Building roads and disturbing ground leads to the spread of invasive, non native plants. These species can choke out and eventually annihilate native vegetation that supports a healthy and thriving ecosystem. This is also land that locals have fished, hunted and foraged for generations. We were predated by the Cherokee. This agency has obligations under the Constitution, treaty rights and federal law "to protect and preserve the inherent rights of American Indians into perpetuity," including access to lands, use of forest products, freedom to practice traditional religions, and protection of sacred sites. These are binding obligations.
The last thing our area needs after Hurricane Helene is MORE destruction of our natural resources. Our land is still healing, and it cannot survive more disruption.
The Forest Service should uphold this 25 year old ruling and protect our national forest for all North Carolinians and Americans.