At the end of 2020, the U.S. Forest Service announced its decision to remove protections of more than 9 million acres of roadless areas on the Tongass, despite 96% of public comments, Tribes, and local businesses, including yourself, all supporting the Roadless Rule. Many of the most important areas on the Tongass, including most of the Tongass 77, are in inventoried roadless areas.

These roadless areas are the underpinnings of Southeast Alaska’s robust fishing and tourism industries, important recreation and subsistence lands, and are essential to the local way of life. This year, the U.S. Forest Service has announced they have a new vision for Southeast Alaska, and that includes putting an end to industrial scale old growth logging.

To begin this effort, the USDA Forest Service has launched a 60-day public comment period to reinstate the Roadless Rule in Alaska. The last day to submit comments is January 24, 2022.

Visit www.AmericanSalmonForest.org/TakeAction to learn more and leave a comment in support of the Tongass.