The Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska is the crown jewel of our nation’s wild forests. At 17 million acres, the Tongass is home to a stunning variety of wildlife, including wild salmon, bears, eagles, and wolves. This key piece of our natural heritage should be preserved for future generations to enjoy, yet the Bush administration wants to open up 2.3 million acres of Tongass backcountry for roads and clearcut logging.
Tell the Forest Service that this pristine forest must be protected!
The landmark Roadless Area Conservation Rule was established in 2001 to protect natural treasures like the Tongass from exploitation and destruction, but in 2003 the administration announced that it would move to exempt the Tongass from Roadless Rule protections so that its timber industry friends could be free to move in with their chainsaws.
Lawsuits brought by Earthjustice on behalf of conservation groups and Alaska Native villagers were able to expose the flaws of this plan, including a gross overestimation of timber demand, and convince a federal court to send the administration’s ill-conceived plan back to the drawing board.
But the plan they came back with in January still fails to protect 2.3 million acres of pristine forest that provide critical wildlife habitat, world-famous recreation opportunities, and jobs. On May 15, 2008, Earthjustice and many other conservation groups filed appeals with the Chief of the Forest Service seeking to protect these vital places.
Now is the time to tell the Forest Service to adopt a Tongass management plan that restores protections for the 2.3 million acres of wild forest now open to destruction. Our wild forests should be cherished and preserved for future generations, not used as an ATM for the timber industry. Take Action Today
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