To the U.S. Forest Service:
I am writing to express my strong opposition to any efforts to rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. As an avid user and advocate for our nation's public lands, I rely heavily on the integrity and protection of our inventoried roadless areas. I frequently visit the the Linville Gorge, Wilson Creek, and Harper Creek areas of Pisgah National Forest near my home in Boone, North Carolina. I also travel frequently to enjoy our public lands across the nation, and for many years was lucky enough to call the White River National Forest of Colorado home. There aren't words to describe how deeply personal protecting these unfragmented landscapes is to me because not only do I depend on these watersheds for clean drinking water (I have a well, my parents have a spring fed tap), I also frequently explore the backcountry trails with my two dogs, and our community depends on the tourism that comes from the beauty of this ancient mountain region. I also put immeasurable value in our pristine wildlife habitats, that provide our unique biodiversity and enjoy the bears, fox, owls, deer, coyote, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, hellbenders, and countless other priceless species that I call neighbors.
I BEG the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to listen to your citizens and abandon the proposed rescission and instead maintain full protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas.
Please place the natural value of our wild and beautiful nation above the material value in order to provide not only this generation but your children's generation, the opportunity to learn & grow from these unspoiled lands. We are all counting on you to see reason.
Sincerely,
McClure Jackson-Cathcart, RVT
Boone, North Carolina