The Tongass is our nation’s largest national forest and contains the greatest remaining area of old-growth temperate rainforest in North America.
The U.S. Forest Service recently announced its plan to exempt the Tongass National Forest from the national Roadless Rule, putting the vital protections of irreplaceable fish habitat and a $2 billion economic engine at imminent risk.
The nation-wide comment period starts today.
According to Mark Hieronymus, registered Alaska Guide and Sportfish Outreach Coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s Alaska Program, “the Roadless areas of the Tongass, as well as the Tongass 77 salmon priority watersheds, contain highly productive fish habitat and unspoiled wildlands that are critical to the vibrant and ever-growing fishing, guide/outfitter, and tourism industries of southeast Alaska.” Combined, they contribute more than $2 billion in economic activity and roughly 26% of jobs in the region annually. He adds, “the proposed repeal of the conservation measures inherent in the Roadless rule is a direct threat to the success and continued contributions of these industries.”
You can TAKE ACTION HERE
LINK (via Angling Trade)
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