The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced their intention to repeal the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule and restore protections to more than nine million acres of roadless areas on the Tongass National Forest. The Alaska Roadless Rule, approved in October 2020, exempted the Tongass from the 2001 Roadless Rule, which prohibited road construction, reconstruction and timber harvest – with limited exceptions, according to a USDA press release.
A proposed rule repealing the 2020 rule will be published for public comment the week of Thanksgiving with a 60-day comment period beginning on Nov. 23rd. Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Submit electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal: regulations.gov
- Mail to: Alaska Roadless Rule, USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 21628, Juneau, Alaska 99802–1628
- Hand Delivery / Courier to: Alaska Roadless Rule, USDA Forest Service, 709 W. 9th Street, Juneau, Alaska 99802
- Email: fs.akrdlessrule@usda.gov
The USDA says that the purpose of the 2001 Roadless Rule is critical to conserving the Tongass’s resources to preserve the values representing the local communities, Alaska Natives, and the economy of Southeast Alaska. Their reasoning to repeal the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule is based on ecologic, social, cultural, and economic values supported by the roadless areas on the Tongass.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack:
“Restoring the Tongass’ roadless protections supports the advancement of economic, ecologic and cultural sustainability in Southeast Alaska in a manner that is guided by local voices. The proposed rule is considerate of Alaska’s Tribal Nations, community input, and builds on the region’s economic drivers of tourism and fishing.”
Comments are encouraged on the proposed rule. Comments, including names and addresses, are placed in the official record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at www.regulations.gov.
NOTE: photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service – Tongass National Forest Facebook page.