Dear Secretary Perdue and Under Secretary Hubbard:
As members of the outdoor recreation community, we are writing you with our concerns about Utah's proposed changes to the Roadless Rule in the state. The Roadless Rule protects backcountry and roadless areas on our National Forests where we enjoy activities like hiking, camping, biking, climbing, skiing, and paddling. Utah's proposal would reduce or eliminate protections for nearly 80% of currently protected backcountry skiing, more than half of currently protected climbing, and 79% of the state's currently protected paddling, hiking, and mountain biking. Roadless protections are an important part of the spectrum of land management tools. They are less restrictive than designations like Wilderness, but still protect conservation and recreation values.
As stakeholders on Utah's public lands, we are also concerned that Utah did not do sufficient outreach to the public. The state neglected not just national voices, but the voices of its own residents. Although members of the outdoor recreation community attended the few meetings the state held last fall, there were virtually no opportunities to share the recreation community's concerns or views with state officials. We ask that you strongly consider the impact of Utah's petition on roadless areas and on outdoor recreation, and reject the proposal to roll back these important protections.
Thank you.