The GAO suggests mechanical removal of this wood, which requires access to forest lands - access which will be hampered if Clinton's roadless policy is implemented. Reduced road access will result in slower fire response and greater ecological and economic damage. Uncontrolled fires cause cities and towns near them to violate the Clean Air Act, and eroded soils from the scorched lands clog streams and impair aquatic habitats. In addition, as greater numbers of people use the national forests for recreation, the roadless policy will limit the areas to which they have access. More people in fixed areas will cause further management problems, including more solid waste, quicker erosion around campgrounds and trails, infrastructure deterioration through overuse - and more of the crowding and noise people seek to escape.
Dispersed recreation is better for forest users and for forest health.
This can be accomplished only with greater access to public lands. Conclusion Forest roads are costly to build and maintain, and when they are not properly constructed and preserved the environment suffers. The roads also provide economic and environmental benefits such as access to timber used for wood and paper products and home construction, public recreation and the opportunity to properly manage forests so as to enhance their health and prevent catastrophic fires. The cost in terms of lives lost, property destroyed, ecosystems disrupted and waterways polluted by uncontrolled wildfires dwarfs the cost of proper maintenance. The environmental damage from decrepit forest roads could be prevented if the roads were repaired and their upkeep fully funded.