I oppose the proposal to fully or partially rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
I moved to the Shenandoah Valley 10 years ago after having lived in areas of the world with fewer natural amenities. Depressed areas where outdoors was only a transition between highly-controlled indoors. To escape, you would have to travel hours just to experience a sliver of the peace I find in George Washington National Forest minutes away.
When I moved here for work, it was the low cost of living and the "easy" living paired with the access to pristine nature that convinced me to relocate. When I visit others outside of the valley and tell them where I live, they are immediately attracted to the mythos of The Shenandoah Valley. "Oh it must be beautiful down there." And it is. When other job offers come up, I weigh them against the way of life here. The bike trails, the bird watching, the hiking.
And as the cost of living rises and more influence from Northern Virginia takes root in the valley, I return to the fundamentals of what makes this area special. The great people and the great outdoors. "Friendly by Nature" is the slogan of my new home of Harrisonburg. I want to protect the nature. Especially in a disconnected world so overrun by data center projects, resources and people vulnerable to exploitation by big corporations, invasive species of plants and bugs, and a crisis of oil consumption. There are so many attacks on conservation from so many directions.
At the simplest level, there is a value that these roadless areas add to the life here that might not be captured by pure economics. One of the few of the idealized places left in America, especially on the east coast. The reputation of the Shenandoah Valley recruited me.The peace of the George Washington National Forest has sustained and kept me here. I choose to stay in the Valley. I choose to shop local. I choose to embrace "friendly by nature." I choose the Shenandoah Valley. I will not move for work to a big city because of the connection to pristine nature here and the profound quietness that can be found in the GW forest. I believe the roadless areas should be left alone in favor of logging other areas. I want future generations to experience the magic of these mountains and to call this beautiful mythologized region home. We need retreats from the digital and the depressing.
Please consider my plea to not rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Thank you very much for your time.