To Whom It May Concern,
I'm writing to ask that you keep the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule in place and select Alternative 1 (No Action). I do not support Alternatives 2 or 3.
I spent every summer of my childhood hiking the backcountry of the Shoshone National Forest and the Wind River Range around Dubois, Wyoming, and I care deeply about keeping these roadless areas intact for future generations to enjoy.
While I understand the need to manage our forests, completely tossing out the Roadless Rule isn't the right way to do it.
First, building new roads actually increases the risk of wildfires. Studies show that the vast majority of wildfires start right next to roads. Opening up the backcountry just invites more human-caused fires. Plus, the current rule already allows for fuels reduction near communities where it's actually needed for safety.
Second, the Forest Service already has a massive backlog of maintenance for the hundreds of thousands of miles of roads we already have. It doesn't make sense to carve up millions of acres of wild forest with expensive new roads when the agency can't afford to maintain the current ones.
Finally, these roadless areas are critical for our drinking water and wildlife. Logging and road construction cause erosion that degrades local water supplies and fragments habitats that wildlife rely on to survive.
The long-term value of clean water, outdoor recreation, and intact forests is far higher than any short-term resource extraction. Please stick with Alternative 1 and protect these lands.
Thank you for reading my comment.