Comments due before September 21st.
USDA Forest Service new rule (https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/42582f2) to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, or Roadless Rule as it is commonly known, opening a paltry 30-day public comment period. This new rule will remove protection for 45 million acres of our most wild & pristine National Forest backcountry — including 2 million acres in Washington.
For 25 years the Roadless Rule has safeguarded the public’s most undisturbed national forestland including 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, preventing industrial roadbuilding, logging, and oil-and gas drilling. Places you know and love are on the chopping block, including Kettle River Range, Sauk Mountain, Pasayten Rim, Rainy Pass, Cutthroat Pass, Tiffany Mountain, Sawtooth, Abercrombie-Hooknose, Salmo-Priest Additions and many, many more.
While the Forest Service publicly claims that this move will help with wildfire mitigation, the agency’s own documents state that building roads into these backcountry forests will likely actually increase wildfire ignitions.
Roadbuilding and logging will destroy wild forests, damage fisheries, pollute clean water sources, degrade and fragment wildlife habitat, increase risk of wildfire, exacerbate climate change, harm cultural resources, and threatens Tribal sovereignty and sacred lands. Roadless lands are critical to our nation’s mental and ecological health.
Taxpayers will foot the bill for destruction of our most cherished wild places for new road construction adding to the already vast 360,000 national forest road network the agency admits it can’t maintain.
National Forest backcountry areas safeguarded by the current Roadless Rule provide for clean water, clean air, fish & wildlife habitat, and diverse recreation opportunities. The Roadless Rule’s protections should be sustained for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Sixty-thousand Washingtonians participated in the 2001 Roadless Rule. Washington state’s two million acres of roadless acres support recreation and tourism, and protect Tribal treaty rights.
Scientific research shows that from 1992-2024, wildfires were four times more likely to start in near roads than in roadless areas and over 90% of wildfires started within half a mile of a road.
PLEASE VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION!
Demand the USDA retain the Roadless Rule. Comments must be submitted by September 20.
Follow these Steps to submit comments via the Internet:
Step 1 web link: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2025-0001-223869
It is important to make unique comments – even a few sentences — so In Your own Words:
I’m writing to support the current 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule.
I value the existing rule because it places I know and love that provide ________________________. (recreation, solitude, adventure, personal growth)
I oppose changes that repeal, weaken or rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. Roadless National Areas are some of the last best places in our country and it is essential that they are protected.
Eighty five percent of wildfires start near roads. There are 370,000 miles of roads existing today in our national forests the Forest Service admits it cannot maintain. Building more roads makes no sense!
Step 2: Select “An Individual” from the ‘Tell us about yourself’ options, then fill out your contact information.
Step 3: Almost done! Confirm that you are not a robot, then click ‘Submit Comment’ at the bottom of the page.
Step 4: Please forward this email to two friends and encourage them to take action to protect the roadless areas. We are working with other groups to get two million comments!
Mail Options: Hardcopy letters must be submitted to the Director, Ecosystem Management Coordination, 201 14th Street SW, Mailstop 1108, Washington, DC 20250-1124.