Preserve the Roadless Rule to Protect Our National Forests

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's proposed elimination of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This critical rule, finalized in 2001, has been instrumental in protecting over 45 million acres of our nation's invaluable forestland for more than two decades. The potential consequences of rescinding this rule are deeply concerning. It would open the door to increased oil and gas leasing, industrial logging, and other harmful development on public lands that are vital for clean water, wildlife habitat, and the protection of ecosystems near our cherished national parks. The National Parks Conservation Association's analysis reveals that 17.5 million acres of inventoried roadless areas lie within just 30 miles of national park lands, underscoring the interconnectedness of these protected areas. Our national parks and their surrounding areas are not just ecological treasures; they are economic drivers for local communities. Gateway economies and recreation communities rely heavily on these mixed-use public lands for activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking. By preserving these areas, we safeguard both environmental integrity and economic stability for countless Americans. The proposed elimination of the Roadless Rule represents, as Beau Kiklis, NPCA's Associate Director of Energy and Landscape Conservation, aptly describes, "another brazen attempt to sell off America's public lands." We must not allow short-term economic gains for a few to outweigh the long-term benefits these protected areas provide for all Americans. I urge you to stand firmly against this proposal and maintain the Roadless Area Conservation Rule in its current form. The public comment period opens on August 29 and lasts for only 21 days. This short window emphasizes the urgency of action. Please use your influence to ensure that the Department of Agriculture hears the voices of constituents who value conservation and sustainable land management. Our national forests are a legacy we hold in trust for future generations. Let's not be the generation that sacrifices this inheritance for short-term gains. I ask that you publicly oppose this harmful proposal and work to maintain the protections that have served our forests, wildlife, and communities so well for the past two decades.