Forest Service Launches Process To Restore Tongass National Forest

The following statement can be attributed to Josh Hicks, Senior Conservation Manager: 

"The USDA has indicated that they will release a proposed rule early next week to restore protections for the Tongass National Forest that were removed by the Trump Administration. Starting November 23rd, The U.S. Forest Service is accepting comments from the public on how to manage the Tongass, one of the largest intact temperate rainforests on earth and a critical tool in our nation’s fight against the climate crisis. The Tongass is home to the most old-growth trees of any U.S. National Forest, meaning it is especially valuable for carbon sequestration. It’s up to all of us who care about building climate resilience and affirming indigenous sovereignty to ensure that this rainforest is protected once again from logging and road-building by making our voices heard. 

In addition to restoring roadless protections to the Tongass, we must make certain other sectors in the region’s economy continue to thrive as a result of these protections. The USDA’s recently announced sustainability strategy would help do that by focusing on recreation and fishing while also investing in measures identified by Tribes and others to build Southeast Alaska’s resilience to climate change. This is our chance to lock in a bright future for the Tongass and the people of Southeast Alaska."

For more information, contact: 

Josh Hicks, Senior Conservation Manager

josh_hicks@tws.org | (720) 984-8544