Roadless Rule Rescinded- Comments to USDA due TODAY
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Melissa Youngquist
Sep 19, 2025, 3:41:33 PM (6 days ago) Sep 19
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Dear MWPARC
Today, September 19, at 11:59 pm Eastern / 10:59 pm Central is the deadline to submit comments to the USDA Forest Service regarding the proposal to rescind the "Roadless Rule", via the Federal Register at www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16581/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation-national-forest-system-lands
The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule) prohibits road construction and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas, with limited exceptions. It was enacted to protect large areas of National Forest from new road construction and logging; and thereby protect animal and plant diversity, ecosystem functioning, and habitat for threatened and endangered species.
We know that undisturbed habitat is critical for the long-term survival of many species who cannot tolerate human impacts from roads, logging, and development. Roads fragment wildlife corridors, with many species refusing to cross even narrow, dirt roads. Amphibians and reptiles are among those most impacted by roadways. They tend to be slow moving and freeze when approached by a vehicle. Many (such as frogs and salamanders) make seasonal movements for breeding and are killed in large numbers on roadways. Even small roads built adjacent to habitat can destroy or pollute streams and wetlands. Reptiles may be attracted to the warm/open surfaces of roads and either killed directly by vehicles or nest along roadways where eggs are later destroyed. Rescinding the roadless rule will not improve conservation outcomes for amphibians or reptiles.
Forests act as natural filters for clean drinking water and mature trees sequester high levels of carbon to mitigate climate change. Adding roads will degrade habitat used for fishing, hunting, camping, and recreation. In addition, roads provide access for poachers and pathways for invasive plants to move into pristine areas.
Research shows the roadless rule has succeeded in protecting rare and declining habitats and the species within. Furthermore, these roadless areas provide critical landscape connectivity between other protected lands (e.g, national parks, wildlife refuges). The roadless rule has also succeeded in preventing the spread of invasive species into wilderness areas.
Science and history are clear that logging does not decrease the risk of forest fires, in fact it does the opposite. Older forests are more resilient and less susceptible to catastrophic crown fires which occur where trees are of similar height (e.g. after clear cut replanting). Logging dries out soil and kills undergrowth that retains moisture. Also, tree and shrub debris left behind after logging provides large quantities of fuel that contribute to larger blazes. Furthermore, because most fires are started accidentally by people, more roads would increase the risk of human-started fires. Research from the USDA Forest Service shows no evidence that the roadless rules makes forest more prone to fire or reduces forest health.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
The MWPARC Advisory Board
Today, September 19, at 11:59 pm Eastern / 10:59 pm Central is the deadline to submit comments to the USDA Forest Service regarding the proposal to rescind the "Roadless Rule", via the Federal Register at www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16581/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation-national-forest-system-lands
The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule) prohibits road construction and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas, with limited exceptions. It was enacted to protect large areas of National Forest from new road construction and logging; and thereby protect animal and plant diversity, ecosystem functioning, and habitat for threatened and endangered species.
We know that undisturbed habitat is critical for the long-term survival of many species who cannot tolerate human impacts from roads, logging, and development. Roads fragment wildlife corridors, with many species refusing to cross even narrow, dirt roads. Amphibians and reptiles are among those most impacted by roadways. They tend to be slow moving and freeze when approached by a vehicle. Many (such as frogs and salamanders) make seasonal movements for breeding and are killed in large numbers on roadways. Even small roads built adjacent to habitat can destroy or pollute streams and wetlands. Reptiles may be attracted to the warm/open surfaces of roads and either killed directly by vehicles or nest along roadways where eggs are later destroyed. Rescinding the roadless rule will not improve conservation outcomes for amphibians or reptiles.
Forests act as natural filters for clean drinking water and mature trees sequester high levels of carbon to mitigate climate change. Adding roads will degrade habitat used for fishing, hunting, camping, and recreation. In addition, roads provide access for poachers and pathways for invasive plants to move into pristine areas.
Research shows the roadless rule has succeeded in protecting rare and declining habitats and the species within. Furthermore, these roadless areas provide critical landscape connectivity between other protected lands (e.g, national parks, wildlife refuges). The roadless rule has also succeeded in preventing the spread of invasive species into wilderness areas.
Science and history are clear that logging does not decrease the risk of forest fires, in fact it does the opposite. Older forests are more resilient and less susceptible to catastrophic crown fires which occur where trees are of similar height (e.g. after clear cut replanting). Logging dries out soil and kills undergrowth that retains moisture. Also, tree and shrub debris left behind after logging provides large quantities of fuel that contribute to larger blazes. Furthermore, because most fires are started accidentally by people, more roads would increase the risk of human-started fires. Research from the USDA Forest Service shows no evidence that the roadless rules makes forest more prone to fire or reduces forest health.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
The MWPARC Advisory Board
Melissa Youngquist, PhD
Research Biologist, Wetlands
Conservation Research Department
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Pronouns: she/her/hers
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