1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Can we protect Arizona's public lands since the federal government refuses to do its job? As federal attacks on conservation threaten our state—such as the reckless efforts to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule—we need our state leadership to take bold, proactive action. Arizona champions over 1.1 million acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) that safeguard critical wildlife corridors, pristine watersheds, and premier hunting and recreation spots. Data from the National Interagency Fire Center shows that since 1992, over 8,000 wildfires in Arizona have started within 100 meters of a road, proving that unchecked road expansion and commercial exploitation directly fuel our wildfire crisis. Yet, federal representatives are willing to sell out our natural heritage for short-term political posturing. If the federal government abandons its duty to protect these ecosystems, Arizona must step up. We should establish state-level protections, buffer zones, and management strategies on state lands bordering vulnerable federal areas. By utilizing our own state trust lands and local authorities, we can enforce roadless protections independently, block unwanted industrial or commercial encroachment, and shield our communities from the devastation that follows federal rollbacks. It is time to stop waiting for Washington to protect us. Let's take control of Arizona's public lands and keep our backcountry wild, safe, and resilient for generations to come. Sincerely,