Let’s Keep Our Wild Forests Wild
Your Comments Needed To Protect Roadless Areas Across America
Last month the U.S. Forest Service proposed a new rule that would
overturn the Roadless Area Conservation Rule enacted in 2001.
The 2001 rule would protect areas on our National Forests that are
Little Bighorn Canyon Roadless Area,
Bighorn National Forest. Photo: Erik Molvar.
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still wild but which aren’t protected at all from industrialization
such as new roads, commercial logging, and oil and gas
development. The new proposed rule would eliminate the
protections provided by the 2001 rule unless state governors
requested specific protections for specific areas in their states.
Over 58 million acres of wild places across the country, and over 3
million acres just in Wyoming, would lose protection under the
proposed rule. The Forest Service is taking public comment on the
proposed rule right now; so your letters in support of roadless area
protection are more important than ever. Comments must be
received by November 14th, which means they should be
postmarked by about November 9th.
What’s At Stake?
Roadless Areas provide essential habitat for a host of wildlife species ranging from big game like Elk and Mule Deer to rare forest
Clearcut on Medicine Bow National Forest. Photo: BCA.
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denizens such as Lynx and Wolverine. The cold, clear waters in Roadless Areas provide refuge for imperiled fish like native Cutthroat
Trout. In addition to wildlife, people too find refuge in our Roadless Areas. It is to these wild, unspoiled places that citizens go for
outstanding backcountry hunting, backpacking, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits, and where families venture to reconnect with each
other and with nature. In many ways, it is the undeveloped places like our Forest Service Roadless Areas that define the Wild West,
for residents and visitors alike. Let’s protect them for future generations—of both wildlife and people. For
additional information on
roadless area values, fact, and figures about Wyoming.
Take Action Now to Protect Wild
Forest Roadless Areas!
Once the Roadless Areas are gone, they’re gone forever. So please
speak out now to demand the Forest Service stop the proposal to gut the
Roadless Rule. A brief letter, mailed to the address below and put in
your own words, is best. Emails are not as effective but can be used if
you run out of time.
Tell the Forest Service you support the original Roadless Rule and
oppose the new proposal that would strip protections from our precious
wildlands. It is also helpful if you send a copy to your governor with a
brief cover note. Your letters can make a huge difference for wild places
like Greyback Ridge, Rock Creek, the Littlehorn, and Illinois Creek. An
example letter with some key points to make is shown on the other side.
Additional useful information can be found on the web.
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER BY NOVEMBER 9TH SO IT IS RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 14TH.
MAIL TO:
Content Analysis Team, Attn: Roadless State Petitions
USDA Forest Service
PO Box 221090
Salt Lake City, UT 84122-1090
Email: statepetitionroadless@fs.fed.us
Fax: 801-517-1014
Wyoming Residents, please send a copy of your letter to:
Governor Dave Freudenthal
Wyoming State Capitol, Room 124
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Email: Governor@state.wy.us
Fax: 307-632-3909
For more information, contact Jeff Kessler at 307-742-7978 or jeff@voiceforthewild.org
SAMPLE LETTER
REMEMBER, YOUR LETTER MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 14TH.
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Dear Forest Service Chief Bosworth,
Please accept this letter as official public comment for the roadless area management state petition proposal, Docket Number 04-
16191.
The original Roadless Rule provided much needed protection for our dwindling wild forest areas and all the valuable wildlife,
recreation, and clean water resources found there. Your current proposal utterly fails to provide the same protection. I would also
like to express my concern that under your proposed rule, you seem to be giving state governors much greater control over
National Forest Roadless Areas owned in common by all Americans. This is not appropriate. For these reasons, I strongly oppose
your proposal to appeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule and replace it with a state petition process. I request that you keep
the original Roadless Rule and abandon the current proposal.
Roadless Areas are a precious part of our natural heritage and as such are not the place for new roadbuilding, oil and gas
development, and commercial logging. Your proposal would allow all these industrial activities in Roadless Areas unless state
governors petitioned specific areas for protection. And, even if governors did submit petitions, those petitions could be denied. In
other words, your proposal is not actually a Roadless Area protection rule but instead would eliminate protection for most
Roadless Areas.
The original roadless rule is an important tool for protecting wildlife habitat, clean water, and backcountry hunting and recreation.
In Wyoming, for example, at least 90 public water supplies get at least some portion of their water from Roadless Areas. Also in
Wyoming, as much as $450 million comes into the state for “adventure tourism” that can be found primarily in wild places such as
National Forest Roadless Areas. Your proposed new rule fails to provide protection for all these resources. Again, I urge you to
abandon your proposed rule.
[Add your personal comments here. For example, if you live in Wyoming or other western states, briefly explain why Roadless
Areas matter to you and impact your life.]
Sincerely,
[Your Signature, Name and Address.]
cc: Governor XX
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