Here in West Virginia, out of over a million acres of national forest, there are 182,000 roadless acres. The Monongahela National Forest has the largest share at 162,000 acres, and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest has about 20,000 acres. The vast majority of roadless areas are managed for recreation. Roadless areas include some of the most iconic landscapes in the Mountain State: Roaring Plains, Seneca Creek, Cheat Mountain, Canaan Loop, Tea Creek, North Fork Mountain, and Hills Creek Falls.
These areas are where we enjoy solitude, quiet, remote recreation, and where we protect species and habitats. It is only a very small part of West Virginia’s national forests, but it is worth protecting.
Nationwide, the Roadless Rule, implemented in 2001, protects more than 44.8 million acres of our national forests located in 37 states. Removing the Roadless Rule protections harms forests all across America. Imagine not protecting the massive old-growth Tongass National Forest in Alaska (home of the bald eagle), Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest, or the remote ancient forest landscapes of the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.
Roadless areas are not fire hazards. That’s a pretext hiding the real reason for canceling the Roadless Rule. In fact, most wildfires start within half a mile of a road – think of that tossed cigarette or a spark from an engine.
Here’s the reality: Removing the Roadless Rule just rewards the special interests that would clear-cut vast areas of these important and pristine forests for short-term profit. That profit will leave West Virginia – leaving West Virginians with spoiled forests, threats to our drinking water, and no jobs.
Even the Forest Service acknowledges that removing the Roadless Rule provisions will result in severe environmental impacts. They are utilizing the highest level of environmental scrutiny by requiring a full Environmental Impact Assessment.
Fortunately, the Forest Service will also study the ‘No Change’ alternative, which involves leaving the Roadless Rule in place to protect our iconic and irreplaceable remote areas. We believe that “NO Change” is the best alternative!
Please join with WV Rivers and protect our Monongahela National Forest. Urge the U.S. Forest Service to keep the Roadless Rule!
Thank you,
West Virginia Rivers Coalition and Members
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