NM Opponents of Roadless Rule Repeal Fear Lost Solitude

NM opponents of Roadless Rule repeal fear lost solitude

Most of the roughly 600 New Mexico residents who weighed in on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposal to end the 2001 Roadless Rule said it should remain in place to protect watersheds and wildlife, as well as spare roughly…

'Quiet loud nature’: New Mexico opponents of Roadless Rule repeal describe fear of lost solitude

All but five of 594 comments from New Mexico residents oppose the repeal of the Roadless Rule, which protects 1.6 million acres of New Mexico national forests from road construction and logging.

‘Quiet loud nature’: New Mexico opponents of Roadless Rule repeal describe fear of lost solitude

1.6 million acres of state’s national forestland could lose protection from roads, logging

'Protect These Precious Treasures!' Nearly 600 New Mexico Residents Speak Out Against USDA Plan to Scrap Forest Protections Covering 1.6 Million Acres

Nearly 99% of New Mexico residents who commented opposed repealing the 2001 Roadless Rule, warning that the move could threaten wildlife, watersheds and the solitude of wild forests. One elderly resident called the protected areas “precious treasures” that must be preserved for future generations.