Right now, the federal government is proposing to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, a conservation measure that has kept road-building, logging, and mining out of some of our wildest national forest lands for more than two decades. As advocates for public lands and wild spaces, we oppose this proposal and are advocating for keeping the Roadless Rule in place.
In Washington, rescinding the Roadless Rule would eliminate protections for 2 million acres, including some truly loved places like Table Mountain and Artist Point in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, a section of the Pacific Crest Trail north of Highway 20, and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest’s Dark Divide. Our Roadless areas include hundreds of thousands of acres of older forests, protecting the natural systems that store and filter the water that feeds our rivers, sheltering salmon and wildlife, and giving us places to hike, fish, and breathe crisp, fresh air.
And, despite persistent myths that roads increase wildfire safety, the data shows that cutting more roads into these forests does not lower risk for nearby communities — with 85% of wildfires ignited by humans, it may even increase it. A study by the Pacific Biodiversity Institute found that 69% of human-caused wildfires in Washington state were within 200 meters of a road, and over 96% were within a half-mile of a road.
But there are no public hearings on this proposal — despite widespread opposition from the public. Submitting a written comment is the main way to add your voice, and the deadline is October 6. More than 250,000 written comments have been submitted already, with 99.1% voicing opposition to rescinding the roadless rule. Every single comment helps.
To make the most impact, though, it’s important to know that not all comments are created equal. Here are tips for creating an effective written comment.
How to write a public comment that counts
Public comment is one of the pillars of democracy and the heart of civic engagement. It’s one of the most direct ways to tell decision-makers what matters to you and your community.
Right now it matters more than ever. Federal changes are coming quickly, misinformation spreads fast, and AI makes it easy to flood comment portals with mass-produced text. In that environment, a real person sharing real experience and real facts stands out.
Why form letters fall short
Form letters are quick, and they’re better than silence. But identical comments are often grouped together and counted as one, which reduces their impact.
Even a small amount of personalization helps. If you have time, write something that comes from your own experience and describes the outcome you want to see. A comment that clearly comes from a person carries more weight than one that looks copied and pasted.
Take it a step further with facts
In federal rulemaking, agencies are required to consider and respond to “substantive” comments. Those are comments that raise specific, fact-based points about a proposal. These comments become part of the official record, and if a decision ends up in court, advocates can point to them.
So when you can, take an extra moment to back up your values with evidence. Cite a study, a data point, or a local example. It doesn’t need to be long — just specific.
Thankfully, national advocates have created a central resource, making it easier for you to build your impactful comment. Visit roadless.org to read up on specifics, learn more about roadless areas at-risk near you, and use a self-guided learning tool to collect substantive talking points that resonate with you!
A simple formula for any written comment:
- Introduce yourself. Share a little about who you are, your community, and what you value. If you hike, fish, or drink water that flows from a forest, say so.
- Name the issue. State exactly what you’re responding to, describe the problem, and explain how it affects your community.
- Offer a solution. Say what you want decision-makers to do and why, using facts you can cite.
Make your voice heard
Advocate for wild places with a comment opposing rescinding the Roadless Rule! The comment period is open until October 6. Learn more and submit your comment at roadless.org.
Note: If you have already commented, you can submit additional comments. There’s no limit on submissions for this process.
Your voice matters. Thank you for speaking up for the land and waters that make this place home.