Article Reworded

Frankly, I am confused. Out of all the topics and issues that this administration—or any administration, regardless of political affiliation—could choose to focus on, the last one I would personally select is anything related to public lands. It is the one issue that unites everyone in the belief that public lands belong to us, not the government, and that selling them off is a bad idea.

However, campaign promises to wealthy donors must be fulfilled. Allegedly. Backroom deals must be honored. Supposedly. And the wholesale selling off of our public lands must be carried out to balance the budget and provide affordable housing, while returning to "common sense management practices" for those responsible for managing these areas.

So here we are again, despite the opposition from Americans on both sides of the political spectrum when legislation was proposed to sell off public lands, both the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of the Interior are moving forward with rescinding the 'Roadless Rule.' This is not what the public wants.

It is time to contact your congressman once more.

"We are one step closer to common sense management of our national forest lands. Today marks a critical step forward in President Trump’s commitment to restoring local decision-making to federal land managers to empower them to protect America’s forests and communities from fires," stated USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. This administration is focused on removing regulations that put people and livelihoods at risk and hinder economic growth in rural America. It is important to manage federal lands properly to ensure healthy forests for future generations. We look forward to working with the people and communities we serve to implement effective policies for forest land management.

However, this is misleading, as rescinding the 'Roadless Rule' is intended to open up public lands for mining, oil extraction, timber production, and little else. The true intention is to sell or lease these lands.

Now, you may wonder why RideApart is covering the rescinding of the 'Roadless Rule' when it could potentially create more off-road trails. The reality is that this move is a cover-up for selling public lands to wealthy corporate interests.

Rollins' press release contradicts reality, as the chief of the Forest Service claims that the Roadless Rule has hindered land managers and limited wildfire suppression. However, adding roads to roadless areas may not necessarily help in fire suppression, as most wildfires are human-caused and occur near forest roads or trails.

The same administration that claims to want to return land management decisions to local experts has actually dismissed many of these experts. It is important to speak up against the rescinding of the 'Roadless Rule' and demand that it be halted.

Call and write to your representatives and demand that they stop the rescinding of the 'Roadless Rule.' With enough public pressure, we can make a difference.