Comment submitted by Chris Doolittle

I am writing to voice my opposition to the the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) CRT Docket No. 105. This ruling would make the Appalachian Trail and other traditional backcountry areas in our national parks and forests open to All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and other “power-driven mobility devices.” This initiative is potentially devastating to the silent, challenging and primitive ideals and standards of the A.T. and other trails and backcountry areas in our national forests and parks. It also opens these sensitive ecological areas to significant degradation and polution. I do not want to be misunderstood that I am opposed to other-powered devices as opposition to persons with disabilities. Our hiking community encourages and is inspired by the achievments of hikers with disabilities who seek quiet and nature on footpaths. Several, including blind AT thru-hiker Bill Irwin and his service-dog Orient, have completed thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail. These hikers inspire us to appreciate the challenge of a backcountry trail that is not compromised by All Terrain Vehicles or by machinery that will compromise the A.T.’s silent, challenging and primitive values. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Chris Doolittle