For most of my youth and all of my adult life, I have spent many days, weeks, and years exploring and enjoying the Bridger-Teton National Forest as well as the nearby Shoshone National Forest. Hiking, camping, and marveling at the beauty of the landscape of these forests has been what I choose to do whenever I have the opportunity ever since I was old enough to make the choice. These trips were not only formative but continue to be life defining. Any loss of the natural beauty and outdoor access would be a loss in countless ways. Activities that support self reliance, curiosity, strength, and solitude are nearly impossible to find in modern times, and land like this is an amazing asset to the American people. It calls back to what Americans have been doing since they first established this country. Our most famous explorers and leaders all knew the majesty of this important landscape and strove to protect it.
The Roadless Rule is currently the only safeguard we have to protect our American values, and our only chance to salvage the last frontier Americans have to practice our self-reliance and re-discover our history. I don't want to look at my children one day and shrug when they ask what happened to the forests. I don't want to live in a future where I can't give them the same life-enriching experiences that made me the proud independent American I am today.
The Roadless Rule has to be protected. This is a matter of national security.