Comment from Anna Lorence

I am writing to express my strong concern regarding recent proposals that would weaken protections for public lands possessing wilderness characteristics and potentially open these lands to increased development, road construction, motorized use, or other activities that could permanently alter their natural condition. I’m an Alaskan resident who grew up with wilderness as their back yard, and know the benefits to the ecosystem and its residents when large amounts of land are allowed to be left alone to their natural state. For the sake of future generations there needs to be clean water, unpolluted air, and space for animals and plants to flourish. My (and every other citizen) wilderness areas are the last areas for that, and I support the continued and increased protection of these areas.