Dear US Forest Service: As a hunter and taxpayer who regularly recreates in the Superior National Forest, I urge you to reject the proposed recission of the Roadless Rule. After another summer of wildfires that destroyed homes and ranches across the US, wildfire protection is what we need. Contrary to claims made by the USDA, statistics show that the roadless rule has reduced wildfire likelihood as forest fires most often are human-caused and therefore more likely to be started where roads are present. Rescinding the roadless rule will only result in a greater quantity and more powerful forest fires. Also, as a taxpayer, I'm concerned about the cost to maintain new roads that would be built should the rule be rescinded. It's my understanding that the USFS is already facing extensive maintenance costs that are hard to keep up with and allowing more roads will result in additional deferred maintenance and potentially increased costs.
Lastly, as a hunter, these swaths of remote habitat are important to the biodiversity of our great country and the adventure we all are invited to be a part of. Thank you for your time and consideration.