“increases the likelihood of uncharacteristic wildfire”
“wildfires are sparked by human ignitions in proximity to roads”
“road maintenance backlog”
What it names
Roadless areas
Ponderosa Pine
The comment
I oppose the proposed action and any other measures to repeal or weaken the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Please choose Alternative 1 and retain the current roadless rule.
Roadless forests are some of our most valuable public lands, providing clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, carbon storage, and places where people can experience the beauty of undeveloped forest.
I am particularly concerned about the potential loss of protections for roadless areas in the Methow Valley and throughout Washington. These lands are important to our communities and should remain protected from new roads and commercial timber harvesting.
I urge the Forest Service to keep the Roadless Rule in place and protect these remaining wild forests for future generations. Opening up roadless areas to new roads will degrade these important values. Road building also increases the likelihood of uncharacteristic wildfire: the vast majority of wildfires are sparked by human ignitions in proximity to roads. Most importantly, the US Forest Service (USFS) already has 371,000 miles of roads and an enormous backlog of needed road repairs and maintenance. In 2024 the USFS estimated that it has a road maintenance backlog of $10.8 Billion on its current road network. I urge the agency to take this backlog seriously and invest in needed road maintenance, repair and decommissioning. We should take care of our current roads before building new ones.
Some of our most beloved lands in Washington are protected as roadless areas – the vast stretches of old growth forest above Lake Quinault, the ponderosa pine forests of the Teanaway Valley and the scenic forests near Washington Pass in the North Cascades. All these areas deserve protection. Please choose Alternative 1 and retain the current roadless rule.