The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) just released its plan to strip millions of acres of wild forests, including 91,200 acres of the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest in Whatcom County, of their protections. This repeal could affect Table Mountain Glacier, Artist Point, Baker River Trail, and many other beloved sites in our backyard. We must speak out loudly now to protest this proposal, and we need your help before September 21st.

The backcountry regions under threat in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest are just a part of the two million acres now under threat in Washington state -- and across the country. Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yosemite are all potentially affected by the Trump Administration's plan to repeal this rule.

Roadless areas are beloved by hikers, birders, campers, mountain bikers, anglers, and winter sports enthusiasts. Protecting these areas is also important to anyone who values clean air and water, safety from wildfires, and intact wildlife habitat. Roadless areas help keep forests intact which regulate local climate conditions and maintain contiguous wildlife habitat. These areas are an essential haven for many at-risk species already threatened by global climate change, pollution, and development. They are also a buffer against wildfire ignition and spread, since 90% of wildfires start within a half mile of a road, and healthy, structurally complex forests are more resistant to extreme wildfire spread than those which have been damaged and fragmented by road building, logging, and development.

A year ago, 625,000 people told the administration to continue protecting 45 million acres of our national forests. We got their attention with that outpouring of support for trees and wildlife and trails.

It’s time to step up for our forests once again, and we only have until September 21st. Crafting your own comment sends a very powerful message, and we'd be grateful if you can take a few minutes to write and send one. Please see below for resources.

For 25 years, these 45 million acres of forest have been off-limits to damaging activities like building a road, drilling, or logging.

As a nation, we decided to protect these wild forests rather than tear them down. Together, we can keep America’s wild forests standing, protect the wildlife that call them home, and pass on the majesty of these special places to future generations.

Speak out now to keep our forests standing and protect them from oil, gas, and mineral drilling.
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Resources for comment writing:

For more information to help with composing a strong comment that's sure to get noticed, Roadless.org has put together a fantastic guide. You can learn more about your favorite places that are under threat, including research and concise talking points to reinforce your argument and your connection to these places. Once you've written your comment, come back here to submit it! Or you can submit it directly to Regulations.gov.

If time is short, you can refer to our sample comments as a starting point. Please tailor it to your own voice and add a few sentences of your own describing your personal connection to one of the places and/or living things protected by the Roadless Rule and why it's important to you that it remains intact.