We should all be deeply concerned about the most recent challenge to the integrity of America’s national forests — the proposed repeal of the 2001 U.S. Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This could open up nearly 45 million acres of our public lands to road-building, logging, mining and development. Roadless wildlands protected under this rule provide abundant benefits to nature and to people. In their current status, roadless areas provide critical wildlife habitat, mature contiguous forests, magnificent scenic vistas, clean water, carbon storage and recreation opportunities.

However, one often overlooked and very important benefit is that roadless areas are critical to the preservation of wilderness character, including the “qualities” and “values” in wilderness.

On Aug. 2

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