None The Nature Conservancy in Alaska Press Releases Search All Press Releases John Sisk 907-789-1771, johnsisk@alaska.net Erin Dovichin, 907-276-3133 x114, edovichin@tnc.org

New Tongass National Forest Management Decision Presents Opportunities for Conservation and Conflict Resolution

Anchorage, AK --January 25, 2008 --The Nature Conservancy in Alaska today responded to the release by the U.S. Forest Service of a Record of Decision for a new management plan for the Tongass National Forest.  The Tongass, the largest national forest in the U.S., is the subject of controversy and public interest relating to timber harvest, ecosystem protection, restoration of habitat and the resolution of Alaska Native land claims and other land issues.

“When it comes to conservation, there appear to be significant improvements in this plan. It postpones new roads and logging in many of the areas The Nature Conservancy’s science-based research identified as important for fish and wildlife and it also provides needed timber for local sawmills,” said Randy Hagenstein, state director for the Conservancy. 

“There are still problems,” Hagenstein cautioned. “We hoped the Forest Service plan for the Tongass would provide permanent protection for the most biologically important watersheds, rather than simply delay the timber sales. We are concerned that full implementation of this plan would seriously impact biodiversity. However, the delay provides an opportunity to address these and other significant conflicts.” Hagenstein applauded the Forest Service for providing this opportunity. “This buys time for the interests to continue to work together on solutions that provide economic benefit to local communities while preserving important ecological, cultural and social values.”

“Some of these conflicts are so longstanding, so fundamental, that they can’t be fully resolved by a forest management plan,” said Hagenstein. He noted this decision does set the stage for efforts such as the Tongass Futures Roundtable to work on resolving outstanding issues. The Roundtable is a forum where different interests attempt to resolve conflicts over Tongass management. 

The Conservancy conducted research in cooperation with Audubon Alaska to identify management options that protect certain watersheds in their entirety, provide a reliable supply of timber for industry, and restore some of the rivers and wildlife habitats impacted by past logging.  “The Forest Service clearly did consider our research in this decision, and we find that encouraging,” said Hagenstein. He said the Conservancy will continue to analyze the decision in the coming month, and will share this analysis with the Forest Service, the Roundtable, and the public.