Difference between revisions of "Tongass National Forest"

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*'''Size:''' 16.8 million acres – America's largest national forest, larger than West Virginia.
 
*'''Size:''' 16.8 million acres – America's largest national forest, larger than West Virginia.
*'''Protection History:''' Created September 10, 1907, when the Tongass National Forest was created via presidential proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt. In July 1908, the Tongass was combined with the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve (created August 20, 1902). Additional proclamations were made in February 1909 and June 1925, bringing the Tongass to its current size.
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*'''Protection History:''' Created in 1907 via presidential proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1908, the Tongass was combined with the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve. Additional proclamations were made in 1909 and 1925, bringing the Tongass to its current size.
*'''Most Recent Development:''' Roadless Rule Exemption Review Process. As of September 2018, the U.S. Forest Service is evaluating a state-specific Roadless Rule as requested by the State of Alaska.
+
*'''Most Recent Development:''' As of October 2020, the U.S. Forest Service has exempted Alaska from the Roadless Rule, stripping over 9 million acres of roadless protections from the Tongass.
*'''Threats:''' A Roadless Rule rollback and/or exemption for the Tongass could re-start wide scale clearcutting of old-growth logging. Additionally, land transfers to private corporations could fragment the forest even further.
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*'''Threats:''' A Roadless Rule exemption for the Tongass could re-start wide scale clearcutting of old-growth logging. Additionally, land transfers to private corporations could fragment the forest even further.
 
*'''Climate Change:''' When old-growth rainforests like the Tongass are cut down, they release up to two-thirds of their stored carbon to the atmosphere.
 
*'''Climate Change:''' When old-growth rainforests like the Tongass are cut down, they release up to two-thirds of their stored carbon to the atmosphere.
 
*'''Wildlife:''' The Tongass is home to five species of Pacific Salmon, humpback and orca whales, otters, beavers, wolves, deer, plus some of the largest concentrations of brown bears and bald eagles in America.
 
*'''Wildlife:''' The Tongass is home to five species of Pacific Salmon, humpback and orca whales, otters, beavers, wolves, deer, plus some of the largest concentrations of brown bears and bald eagles in America.
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At approximately 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is America’s largest national forest, encompassing the majority of the southeast Alaska panhandle. Each year more than 1 million people come to experience glaciers flowing from the mountains into the sea and iconic wildlife that thrives in one of the largest remaining temperate rainforests in the world.
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At 16.8 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is America’s largest national forest, encompassing the majority of the southeast Alaska panhandle. Each year more than 1 million people come to experience glaciers flowing from the mountains into the sea and iconic wildlife that thrives in one of the largest remaining temperate rainforests in the world.
  
Alaska’s national forests were protected under the [https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EbJoO2W8LytPlDHAhn_zPIcBtRNae2jkOryDgnSSzGVr6Q?e=g5o5qE Roadless Rule] expressly because forested wildlands persist in Alaska on a scale unknown elsewhere in the country. In addition to harboring great natural beauty and iconic wildlife, scientists believe that retaining the intact roadless areas of the Tongass is a “key element” in sustaining the region’s extraordinary salmon runs (and its commercial, subsistence and recreational fisheries). Unfortunately, through legislation and regulatory rollbacks, the Alaska delegation and the current administration are attempting to exempt the Tongass from roadless protections.
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Alaska’s national forests were protected under the [https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EbJoO2W8LytPlDHAhn_zPIcBtRNae2jkOryDgnSSzGVr6Q?e=g5o5qE 2001 Roadless Rule] expressly because forested wildlands persist in Alaska on a scale unknown elsewhere in the country. In addition to harboring great natural beauty and iconic wildlife, scientists believe that retaining the intact roadless areas of the Tongass is a “key element” in sustaining the region’s extraordinary salmon runs (and its commercial, subsistence and recreational fisheries). Unfortunately, through regulatory rollbacks the Trump administration have exempted the Tongass from roadless protections.  
  
At the end of the Obama administration, the U.S. Forest Service finalized an amendment to the [https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EdPtQjIYZuZKsB8VHPOVNWgByKI4kESTLqoBtXLWuWDt6w?e=mybHBB Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP)] that slowly moves the Tongass away from taxpayer-subsidized, industrial-scale old-growth logging, long since abandoned elsewhere in the national forest system. Despite strong public support and scientific backing, the Alaska delegation, similar to its actions on the Roadless Rule, has been attempting to reverse and weaken protections guaranteed by TLMP through riders in must-pass legislative vehicles and stand-alone legislation.  
+
The House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing in November of 2019 focused on the impacts that removing roadless protections in the Tongass would have. In October of 2020, the Trump administration finalized an Alaska state-specific Roadless Rule which gutted protections for the entire Tongass by exempting the entire state of Alaska from the Roadless Rule. This would open more than 9 million acres of roadless areas in the Tongass to roadbuilding activities and clear-cut logging. On day one, the Biden administration ordered a review of this rulemaking process. Please see below for relevant legislation, talking points, fact sheets and more on what we're doing to defend the Tongass National Forest.
  
Now the Trump administration is attempting to gut protections for the entire Tongass through an Alaska state-specific Roadless Rule. After a [https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/trump-pushes-to-allow-new-logging-in-alaskas-tongass-national-forest/2019/08/27/b4ca78d6-c832-11e9-be05-f76ac4ec618c_story.html meeting between President Trump and Alaska Governor Dunleavy], the Secretary of Agriculture identified a preferred alternative in the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the rulemaking process which would exempt the entire state of Alaska from the Roadless Rule. This would open more than 9 million acres of roadless areas to roadbuilding activities and clear-cut logging of old-growth forest. In November, the House Natural Resources Committee held an [https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/npfpl-oversight-hearing_november-13-2019 oversight hearing] focused on the impacts that removing roadless protections in the Tongass would have. Please see below for relevant legislation, talking points, fact sheets and more on what we're doing to defend the Tongass National Forest.
 
  
 
[[#Fact Sheets|Fact Sheets]] | [[#Congressional Letters|Congressional Letters]] | [[#Public Letters|Public Letters]] | [[#Maps|Maps]] | [[##Research & Reports|Research & Reports]]   
 
[[#Fact Sheets|Fact Sheets]] | [[#Congressional Letters|Congressional Letters]] | [[#Public Letters|Public Letters]] | [[#Maps|Maps]] | [[##Research & Reports|Research & Reports]]   
 +
  
 
'''''Recent Legislative Activity'''''
 
'''''Recent Legislative Activity'''''
*'''[https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2491 H.R. 2491]/[https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1311?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22s+1311%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1 S. 1311], [https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EZNdSejQXuBJlSGq7RkHptcBSZHcMSMwsFqMnfO0UKu6sQ?e=INbrtg Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2019]
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*'''[https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/279?r=2&s=1 H.R. 279]/[https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/877 S. 877], [https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/Ec5mQhDojPJKla1wjHzYLhgBrOPEZwIX9G5XAPSIgCn2AA?e=PeQVh4 Roadless Area Conservation Act] (117th Congress)
 
**This bill would provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System.
 
**This bill would provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System.
** To cosponsor, email Mariel Jorgensen (mailto:mariel.jorgensen@mail.house.gov) in Representative Gallego's office (D-AZ-7) or Amit Ronen (mailto:Amit_Ronen@cantwell.senate.gov) in Senator Cantwell's office (D-WA).
+
** To cosponsor, email Emma Reidy (mailto:emma.reidy@mail.house.gov) in Representative Gallego's office (D-AZ) or Amit Ronen (mailto:Amit_Ronen@cantwell.senate.gov) in Senator Cantwell's office (D-WA) for the Senate companion.
 +
 
  
 
'''''Talking Points'''''  
 
'''''Talking Points'''''  
*Opening up the Tongass National Forest roadless areas to road building and logging would '''threaten the abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery''' essential to the tourism fishing industries in Southeast Alaska, each of which contributes approximately $1 billion dollars to the region’s economy each year.
+
*The Trump administration’s Tongass exemption to the Roadless Rule, issued in the final days of 2020, opens the gates to clear-cutting countless centuries-old trees in the Tongass, with irreversible consequences for salmon fisheries, tribal communities and the forest ecosystem. '''The 2001 Roadless Rule must be reinstated immediately to protect critical forest protections.'''
*The Roadless Rule is the '''result of one of the most extensive public processes''' in U.S. history – more than 1.6 million people submitted comments on the rule, and 95% of those commented favorably on roadless protections.
+
*'''The Roadless Rule is the result of one of the most extensive public processes''' in U.S. history – more than 1.6 million people submitted comments on the rule, and 95% of those commented favorably on roadless protections.
*As part of the world's largest temperate rainforest, '''the Tongass stores a huge percent of the world's carbon''' — [https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5252603.pdf 8 percent of all forests in the Lower 48 combined] It makes no sense to subsidize the clearcutting of the United States' largest carbon sink at a time the world and American communities are increasingly suffering from climate change. '''When it comes to climate change, the Tongass National Forest is a life raft.'''
+
*'''The Trump administration’s Tongass exemption to the Roadless Rule was flawed from the beginning.''' An overwhelming majority of comments – [https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/tongassblueprint/pages/1960/attachments/original/1590607105/Alaska_Roadless_Rule_-_DEIS_Public_Comment_Report_%28May_2020%29.pdf?1590607105 96%] – favored keeping the 2001 Roadless Rule protections in place. A recently published [https://www.usda.gov/oig/audit-reports/forest-service-grant-roadless-area-management-state-alaska OIG report] clearly states the Forest Service broke the law by illegally agreeing to award $2 million to the state through funds that were supposed to be directed towards wildfire management, all during one of the worst fire seasons in years.
*'''The Roadless Rule rollback [https://www.taxpayer.net/energy-natural-resources/cutting-our-losses-tongass-timber/ will ultimately cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.]''' In total, the US Forest Service has lost approximately $600 million over the last twenty years or $30 million per year on average. Moreover, the USFS could end up losing more than $180 million in the Tongass over the next four years.
+
*'''The Tongass is essential to the culture and livelihood of Alaska Native communities who rely on hunting, fishing, and wild harvest as a matter of survival.''' A united group of [https://www.juneauempire.com/news/southeast-tribes-unite-to-oppose-lifting-roadless-rule/#:~:text=The%20six%20tribes%20are%20the,and%20Organized%20Village%20of%20Kasaan. six Southeast Alaska Tribes] supported keeping roadless protections for the Tongass National Forest, and [https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/searac-winter-2020-book.pdf 12 tribal governments] objected to the lack of consultation when the Tongass was exempted from the Roadless Rule in 2020.
 +
*As part of the world's largest temperate rainforest, '''the Tongass stores a huge percent of the world's carbon''' — [https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5252603.pdf 8 percent of all forests in the Lower 48 combined]. In total, [https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2019/11/20/477495/trumps-energy-policies-put-alaska-climate-crosshairs/ the Tongass stores an estimated 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon and sequesters an additional 10 million metric tons annually].  It makes no sense to subsidize the clearcutting of the United States' largest carbon sink at a time when the world and American communities are increasingly suffering from climate change impacts. '''When it comes to battling climate change, the Tongass National Forest is a life raft.'''
 +
*'''The Roadless Rule rollback will ultimately cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.''' Since 1980, the USFS has spent approximately [https://www.taxpayer.net/energy-natural-resources/cutting-our-losses-tongass-timber-2/ $1.961 billion subsidizing timber sales in the Tongass], including road construction. Yet it received only $230 million in proceeds from these sales; this has led to a net loss of $1.7 billion, and an average loss of $44 million annually.
 +
*'''The Tongass is the linchpin of Southeast Alaska’s economy''', attracting people from around the world for world-class recreation, hunting, and sport and commercial salmon fishing. In recent years, visitor industry and seafood-related jobs have accounted for [https://www.seconference.org/sites/default/files/FINAL%20Southeast%20by%20the%20Numbers%202019.pdf 26 percent of jobs] in the region and generated an annual $2 billion economic benefit.
 +
*'''The timber industry presently provides [https://www.seconference.org/sites/default/files/FINAL%20Southeast%20by%20the%20Numbers%202019.pdf less than 1% of jobs] in the Southeast economy and is sustained primarily through federal subsidies.''' Timber used to be a significant employer in Southeast Alaska, but today recreation and fishing support thriving, sustainable business in the Tongass.  
  
 
==<span id="Fact Sheets"></span>Fact Sheets==
 
==<span id="Fact Sheets"></span>Fact Sheets==
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EQWt3jpN_z5GjclWQNm5cecBa2WI4k7fVLR_be-945ogKg What is the Roadless Rule?]
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*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/ESZdE8_wNbpCl8t7alUYZdsBiNMsagwaaj1MimNX2zqEdw?e=bdjvvc Roadless Area Conservation Act]
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EdPtQjIYZuZKsB8VHPOVNWgByKI4kESTLqoBtXLWuWDt6w?e=mybHBB TLMP Amendment of 2016]
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*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/sites/External/AKBriefing/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FExternal%2FAKBriefing%2FTongass%20Roadless%20Rule%20Factsheet%20Final%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2FExternal%2FAKBriefing The Roadless Rule Protects the Tongass National Forest]
+
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EQWt3jpN_z5GjclWQNm5cecBa2WI4k7fVLR_be-945ogKg?e=hj87m8 What is the Roadless Rule?]
 +
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/Ef9Ux7KyKlNEoh8vYyBUYNwBjTN2haiElnuCc0x7IN1YyA?e=9R032Y Taxpayers Subsidize the Clear-cut Logging of America’s Rainforest]
 +
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EdAq0FYBg-NMiQA6-ffNjs8BVVjwXgV_CvbhFca8gux73w?e=b4Bgqg Know Your Salmon]
 +
 
 
==<span id="Congressional Letters"></span>Congressional Letters==
 
==<span id="Congressional Letters"></span>Congressional Letters==
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EfXlAlU9pgZPqIPJ2DjtScwBeuYrX2JfuWnXuvp0wlJN5g?e=nmGJ2U Letter from Senate Democrats on Environmental Justice and the DEIS for the Tongass Roadless Rule], December 2019
+
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/sites/External/AKBriefing/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FExternal%2FAKBriefing%2FLetter%20to%20USDA%20RE%20Alaska%20Roadless%20Rule%20Rulemaking%20Jan%202022%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2FExternal%2FAKBriefing Letter from Senate and House Democrats to Secretary Vilsak on Reinstating Roadless Rule to the Tongass], January 2022
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EXlh6nVdJXxFuN8UTMWJns0BwaPwyZ5oCxxVxNhUjx28yg?e=yJ2gbx Letter from House Democrats on the DEIS for the Tongass Roadless Rule], December 2019
+
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/ERhEmGvKZdNFhvVsBqH-NaMBsHCmaDig4NP7Hop9A-FJdw?e=EBUJCS Letter from House and Senate Democrats to Secretary Perdue Opposing  the FEIS for the Tongass Roadless Rule], October 2020
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/ERbEXcd5iKVOgTGBij7a0-8BteU51YLaf6Y6AEQAA5AuRw?e=BmZqnP Letter from Senate Democrats on the DEIS for the Tongass Roadless Rule], November 2019
+
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EfXlAlU9pgZPqIPJ2DjtScwBeuYrX2JfuWnXuvp0wlJN5g?e=nmGJ2U Letter from Senate Democrats to Secretary Perdue on Environmental Justice and Opposing the DEIS Preferred Alternative for the Tongass Roadless Rule], December 2019
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EVusITb7HSVBmY7Ef_D-7MQBzuMfwu7uUGGtrmi37BrPvA?e=NQgFU4 Letter from House Democrats Opposing Roadless Rule Rollbacks in Alaska], October 2018
+
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EXlh6nVdJXxFuN8UTMWJns0BwaPwyZ5oCxxVxNhUjx28yg?e=yJ2gbx Letter from House Democrats to Secretary Perdue Opposing the DEIS Preferred Alternative for the Tongass Roadless Rule], December 2019
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/ERVCKIh9oUFCm3t209ie0TUBaVjms6RQWjGRXn0eDceHvQ?e=h6rMNh Letter Senate Democrats Opposing Roadless Rule Rollbacks in Alaska], October 2018
+
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/ERbEXcd5iKVOgTGBij7a0-8BteU51YLaf6Y6AEQAA5AuRw?e=BmZqnP Letter from Senate Democrats to Secretary Perdue Opposing the DEIS Preferred Alternative for the Tongass Roadless Rule], November 2019
 +
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EVusITb7HSVBmY7Ef_D-7MQBzuMfwu7uUGGtrmi37BrPvA?e=NQgFU4 Letter from House Democrats to Secretary Perdue Opposing Roadless Rule Rollbacks in Alaska], October 2018
 +
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/ERVCKIh9oUFCm3t209ie0TUBaVjms6RQWjGRXn0eDceHvQ?e=h6rMNh Letter from Senate Democrats to Secretary Perdue Opposing Roadless Rule Rollbacks in Alaska], October 2018
  
 
==<span id="Public Letters"></span>Public Letters==  
 
==<span id="Public Letters"></span>Public Letters==  
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*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EeKWnlVQR99OvussGPYqMj8BDwpqg0GAuEQjW0Mly4W74w?e=eC0IJh Letter from Scientists to the USFS Supporting Roadless Rule Protection in the Tongass], September 2018
 
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EeKWnlVQR99OvussGPYqMj8BDwpqg0GAuEQjW0Mly4W74w?e=eC0IJh Letter from Scientists to the USFS Supporting Roadless Rule Protection in the Tongass], September 2018
 
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/Eb37ZbUs76dIql-hmSWQ0nkB882r32S4dC9eQACS_dfSIg?e=kxUHlr Environmental Community Opposition Letter to Alaska Native Claims Settlement Improvement Act (S. 1481)], January 2018
 
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/Eb37ZbUs76dIql-hmSWQ0nkB882r32S4dC9eQACS_dfSIg?e=kxUHlr Environmental Community Opposition Letter to Alaska Native Claims Settlement Improvement Act (S. 1481)], January 2018
*[http://www.americansalmonforest.org/public-lands-sign-on-supporters.html Letter from Business Owners, Guides, Outfitters, Hunters and Anglers Supporting Tongass 77]
 
  
 
==<span id="Maps"></span>Maps==  
 
==<span id="Maps"></span>Maps==  
 +
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EdU7wR29hQ5OoNLvKv8NVNUBrz2lfdPl0wFXOJO-IZKTYw?e=MdAOH3 Tongass National Forest Roadless Areas]
 +
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:i:/s/External/EVKj8ops7ZlBmkpfXQ0WNv0B7dDv_WffCEXuKZczbOJVrg?e=m4p8Pf The Tongass 77 Priority Salmon Watersheds]
 
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:i:/s/External/EcqZcv6LeKtBl2fGhq7HoDQBgFaOj5VMNQU878-TeJFQ3Q?e=MeU3Pg National Forests of Alaska - USFS]
 
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:i:/s/External/EcqZcv6LeKtBl2fGhq7HoDQBgFaOj5VMNQU878-TeJFQ3Q?e=MeU3Pg National Forests of Alaska - USFS]
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:i:/s/External/EVKj8ops7ZlBmkpfXQ0WNv0B7dDv_WffCEXuKZczbOJVrg?e=m4p8Pf The Tongass 77 Priority Salmon Watersheds]
+
 
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EdU7wR29hQ5OoNLvKv8NVNUBrz2lfdPl0wFXOJO-IZKTYw?e=MdAOH3 Tongass National Forest Roadless Areas]
 
 
 
==<span id="Research & Reports"></span>Research & Reports==
 
==<span id="Research & Reports"></span>Research & Reports==
 +
*[https://www.taxpayer.net/energy-natural-resources/cutting-our-losses-tongass-timber-2/ Cutting Our Losses after 40 Years of Money-Losing Timber Sales in the Tongass - Taxpayers for Common Sense], September 2020
 
*[https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2019/11/20/477495/trumps-energy-policies-put-alaska-climate-crosshairs/ Trump’s Energy Policies Put Alaska in the Climate Crosshairs - Center for American Progress], November 2019
 
*[https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2019/11/20/477495/trumps-energy-policies-put-alaska-climate-crosshairs/ Trump’s Energy Policies Put Alaska in the Climate Crosshairs - Center for American Progress], November 2019
*[https://alaskawildernessleague.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/External/EWenyP0hHhJMqsR3RWGhK6cBt4FO3lzV-FjbwzgoeK_27A?e=hckYoD Cutting our Losses: 20 Years of Money-Losing Timber Sales in the Tongass - Taxpayers for Common Sense], October 2019
+
*[https://www.taxpayer.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/TCS-Cutting-Our-Losses-2019-.pdf Cutting Our Losses: 20 Years of Money-Losing Timber Sales in the Tongass - Taxpayers for Common Sense], October 2019
*[https://headwaterseconomics.org/economic-development/local-studies/tongass/ The Tongass Transition Framework: A New Path Forward? - Headwaters Economics], December 2014
 

Latest revision as of 13:31, 4 February 2022

Sitka waterfall 6173285451 small.jpg
KEY FACTS
  • Size: 16.8 million acres – America's largest national forest, larger than West Virginia.
  • Protection History: Created in 1907 via presidential proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1908, the Tongass was combined with the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve. Additional proclamations were made in 1909 and 1925, bringing the Tongass to its current size.
  • Most Recent Development: As of October 2020, the U.S. Forest Service has exempted Alaska from the Roadless Rule, stripping over 9 million acres of roadless protections from the Tongass.
  • Threats: A Roadless Rule exemption for the Tongass could re-start wide scale clearcutting of old-growth logging. Additionally, land transfers to private corporations could fragment the forest even further.
  • Climate Change: When old-growth rainforests like the Tongass are cut down, they release up to two-thirds of their stored carbon to the atmosphere.
  • Wildlife: The Tongass is home to five species of Pacific Salmon, humpback and orca whales, otters, beavers, wolves, deer, plus some of the largest concentrations of brown bears and bald eagles in America.

At 16.8 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is America’s largest national forest, encompassing the majority of the southeast Alaska panhandle. Each year more than 1 million people come to experience glaciers flowing from the mountains into the sea and iconic wildlife that thrives in one of the largest remaining temperate rainforests in the world.

Alaska’s national forests were protected under the 2001 Roadless Rule expressly because forested wildlands persist in Alaska on a scale unknown elsewhere in the country. In addition to harboring great natural beauty and iconic wildlife, scientists believe that retaining the intact roadless areas of the Tongass is a “key element” in sustaining the region’s extraordinary salmon runs (and its commercial, subsistence and recreational fisheries). Unfortunately, through regulatory rollbacks the Trump administration have exempted the Tongass from roadless protections.

The House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing in November of 2019 focused on the impacts that removing roadless protections in the Tongass would have. In October of 2020, the Trump administration finalized an Alaska state-specific Roadless Rule which gutted protections for the entire Tongass by exempting the entire state of Alaska from the Roadless Rule. This would open more than 9 million acres of roadless areas in the Tongass to roadbuilding activities and clear-cut logging. On day one, the Biden administration ordered a review of this rulemaking process. Please see below for relevant legislation, talking points, fact sheets and more on what we're doing to defend the Tongass National Forest.


Fact Sheets | Congressional Letters | Public Letters | Maps | Research & Reports


Recent Legislative Activity


Talking Points

  • The Trump administration’s Tongass exemption to the Roadless Rule, issued in the final days of 2020, opens the gates to clear-cutting countless centuries-old trees in the Tongass, with irreversible consequences for salmon fisheries, tribal communities and the forest ecosystem. The 2001 Roadless Rule must be reinstated immediately to protect critical forest protections.
  • The Roadless Rule is the result of one of the most extensive public processes in U.S. history – more than 1.6 million people submitted comments on the rule, and 95% of those commented favorably on roadless protections.
  • The Trump administration’s Tongass exemption to the Roadless Rule was flawed from the beginning. An overwhelming majority of comments – 96% – favored keeping the 2001 Roadless Rule protections in place. A recently published OIG report clearly states the Forest Service broke the law by illegally agreeing to award $2 million to the state through funds that were supposed to be directed towards wildfire management, all during one of the worst fire seasons in years.
  • The Tongass is essential to the culture and livelihood of Alaska Native communities who rely on hunting, fishing, and wild harvest as a matter of survival. A united group of six Southeast Alaska Tribes supported keeping roadless protections for the Tongass National Forest, and 12 tribal governments objected to the lack of consultation when the Tongass was exempted from the Roadless Rule in 2020.
  • As part of the world's largest temperate rainforest, the Tongass stores a huge percent of the world's carbon8 percent of all forests in the Lower 48 combined. In total, the Tongass stores an estimated 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon and sequesters an additional 10 million metric tons annually. It makes no sense to subsidize the clearcutting of the United States' largest carbon sink at a time when the world and American communities are increasingly suffering from climate change impacts. When it comes to battling climate change, the Tongass National Forest is a life raft.
  • The Roadless Rule rollback will ultimately cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Since 1980, the USFS has spent approximately $1.961 billion subsidizing timber sales in the Tongass, including road construction. Yet it received only $230 million in proceeds from these sales; this has led to a net loss of $1.7 billion, and an average loss of $44 million annually.
  • The Tongass is the linchpin of Southeast Alaska’s economy, attracting people from around the world for world-class recreation, hunting, and sport and commercial salmon fishing. In recent years, visitor industry and seafood-related jobs have accounted for 26 percent of jobs in the region and generated an annual $2 billion economic benefit.
  • The timber industry presently provides less than 1% of jobs in the Southeast economy and is sustained primarily through federal subsidies. Timber used to be a significant employer in Southeast Alaska, but today recreation and fishing support thriving, sustainable business in the Tongass.

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