I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to fully or partially rescind, weaken, or roll back the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
I am an arborist, mountain biker, hiker, and river paddler living in Kent Ohio. National forests and inventoried roadless areas matter deeply to me because the forest lands I love to learn and recreate in like Allegheny National Forest located just 2 hr drive from Kent. The ANF contains Hearts Content, a beautiful natural area that’s great for quiet connection to nature.
Fully or partially rescinding the Roadless Rule would threaten unfragmented backcountry landscapes, wildlife habitats, and clean water sources. Roads fragment ecosystems in ways that cause long-term ecological harm, and dismantling these protections undermines the natural integrity of our public lands.
I urge the Forest Service to drop the proposed rescission and instead support Alternative 1 (the No Action alternative) to maintain full, permanent protections for all currently designated inventoried roadless areas.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Rick Denbeau
Kent Ohio 44240
Rickdenbeau@gmail.com