America's Roadless Lands Need Your Voice
Roadless areas occupy a unique place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Not only do roadless areas serve humans in a variety of ways such as providing clean drinking water, clean air, beautiful landscapes, and abundant recreation but they also serve as habitat for hundreds of wildlife species and provide refuge for numerous sensitive species that rely on intact and largely undisturbed habitat.
CREDIT: TANNER SAUL
Americans have shown time and time again that they want roadless areas conserved and that they support the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. When the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued its Notice of Intent to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, more than 600,000 people commented and roughly 99% told the USDA that they wanted to keep the Roadless Area Conservation Rule intact. Clearly, these areas are extremely valued by the vast majority of the public.
CREDIT: TANNER SAUL
Unfortunately, the USDA is moving forward with its efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule and has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that lays out its plans. This would mean reduced protections for more than 44 million acres of roadless areas across the nation.
Here's why safeguarding roadless areas is so important:
- Roadless areas protect migration corridors and game habitat.
- Roadless habitat is vital for the survival of imperiled species.
- Roadless areas are a stronghold for cold-water fisheries.
- Roadless areas help fuel a $1.2 billion recreation economy, providing opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping, and so many other outdoor activities.
- Roadless areas are vital for clean drinking water across the nation.
- Increased industrial activity in roadless areas would jeopardize culturally-important sites and subsistence use areas that are critical for Indigenous communities.
Use this information to make a comment and add your thoughts on the future of roadless area management. Thank you!
