I am a fourth generation Floridian and a lifetime user, visitor and appreciator of OUR public lands, specifically the Apalachicola National Forest and Ocala National Forest, in addition to many across the country. For 18 years I have been a biologist, botanist, fire ecologist , prescribed fire practitioner, and land manager on public and private lands in Florida. I am acutely aware of the devastating effects that would result from rescinding the Roadless Rule. Above all else, this would negatively impact unique and the delicate ecosystems present in these lands, in Florida and throughout OUR country, which humanity and the rest of the natural world ultimately depend upon for sustained LIFE ON EARTH.
Large contiguous national forests and other relatively intact swaths of natural lands are critical for the numerous ecological services they provide including expanses of intact ecosystems which provide for the sustained food web including multitudes of flora and fauna that cannot thrive in fractured habitat and in close or constant proximity to human activity. These lands are also critical for the protection of our precious water resources: surface waters which WE treasure for their scenic beauty, their recreational offerings and their contributions to agriculture and other critical human uses, and fresh groundwater, which is already imperiled in volume and in quality here in Florida. Clean water is an increasingly threatened critical resource upon which human and other life depends. Additionally, rescinding this rule would negatively impact wildfire prevention efforts, forest health, access, grazing activities, and other land management needs. It is our duty as AMERICANS to protect and defend the integrity and security of OUR public lands on which we depend for our own current lives and also our for children’s and grandchildren’s lives looking into the future. Allowing the further degradation and fragmentation of our remaining wild lands is inexcusable and unacceptable. Roads create permanent and likely irreversible damage to these natural areas. Surely rescinding the Roadless Rule will accelerate the journey down the Road to Ruin for OUR PUBLIC LANDS and the future of our precious and critical natural resources. The ROADLESS RULE is an essential measure of protection for these lands which are vulnerable to the whims of administrations, corporate interests and shortsighted misinformation proliferated in this age of “information”. Please do NOT remove this indispensable safeguard.