At approximately 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is America's largest national forest, encompassing the majority of the Southeast Alaska Panhandle. [30], The Forest Service removed most of the Tongass National Forest from roadless area designation in October 2020, allowing road construction and logging in more than 9.3million acres of rainforest. 383,000 acres (1,550km2) out of 491,000 acres (1,990km2) original big-tree, low-elevation forest area. The Tongass is an archipelago of endless lush valleys, glacial fjords, and streams. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Coast Mountains and Canadian border on the east, the lush greenery of the Tongass National Forest spans 500 miles of Southeast Alaska. Engaging communities and sustaining economies. Tongass National Forest was created by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt on September 10 th, 1907. Trending; . Agencys final action ignores public input and disregards importance of old-growth trees for local communities, fish, and birds. In 2003, an appropriations bill rider required that all timber sales in the Tongass must be positive sales, meaning no sales could be sold that undervalued the "stumpage" rate, or the value of the trees as established by the marketplace (2008 Appropriations Bill P.L. In September 2006, a landmark court decision overturned Bush's repeal of the Roadless Rule, reverting to the 2001 roadless area protections established under president Clinton. Los Angeles Times editorial, 21 December 2009. 1403 (1976), United States District Court, D. Alaska. Explore, renew, and refresh among the islands and along the coastline and take home exciting memories of adventures in Alaska. Other terrestrial animals include wolves, mountain goats, ravens, and sitka black-tailed deer. Tongass National Forest: 68,000 km 2 (26,000 sq mi) United States: Rainforest of Xishuangbanna: 19,223 km 2 (7,422 sq mi . Lab Bay 1979-94 Environmental Impact Statement USDA Forest Service 1989. The Tongass is the largest National Forest in the country. Federal Building Trump to strip protections from Tongass National Forest, one of the biggest intact temperate rainforests. Was the largest new club stadium built in England since 1923 when it opened in 1997. Another presidential proclamation made by Roosevelt, on 10 September 1907, created the Tongass National Forest. Official websites use .gov A .gov The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has special expertise with assessing impacts to waters of the United States, including wetlands; additionally, a Section 404 of the Clean Water Act . Whale watching is a popular tourist activity which can be done on designated tours on charter boats or on the ferries along the Alaska Marine Highway where staff help point out wildlife to passengers along the way. connected to the .gov website. Forest Service Remove Roadless Protections for Tongass National Forest, Using the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail Website. The ground is covered by ferns and moss while shrubs and evergreens grow between the canopy and earth floor. They contain over 5,750,000 acres (23,300km2) of territory,[40] also more than any other. 648 Mission Street, Suite 110 The most controversial logging in the Tongass has involved the roadless areas. At approximately 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is America's largest national forest, encompassing the majority of the southeast Alaska Panhandle. At approximately 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is America's largest national forest, encompassing the majority of the southeast Alaska Panhandle. The Tongass National Forest has its's origins in a 1902 proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt, declaring this coastal Alaskan area as the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve. Backcountry Jeep Canoe & Safari through the Forest 4. [42], A study released by Audubon Alaska on 22 February 2012 showed that the Sealaska selection of the largest trees in areas designated in S 730 and HR 1408 is 1200 percent greater than the occurrence of these trees in the Tongass as a whole.[43]. Surrounding the town is Tongass National Forest, the world's largest intact temperate rainforest, nearly 17 million acres spread across 1,100 mountainous islands. "[24], In July 2009, the Obama Administration approved clearcut logging on 381 acres (1.54km2) in the remaining old growth forests of a Tongass National Forest roadless area. We walk these same lands. Tongass National Forest - About the Forest Brent Cole, Alaska Specialty Woods What Alaska Specialty Woods Inc. does: Alaska Specialty Woods, Inc. (ASW) is a family owned and operated business producing soundboards and other tonewood products from Sitka spruce, Alaskan yellow cedar, and western red cedar for over 20 years. Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591, Phone:907-225-3101 Watch the film then join us for a discussion about the film, the Tonagss, and climate change on March 19. An increasingly rare global treasure, it contains the largest intact stands of coastal temperate rainforest left on the planet. [41] On 23 April 2009, Senator Murkowski and U.S. Rep. Don Young introduced a revised Sealaska bill (S. 881 and H.R 2099) that requests public lands that are both economically valuable and environmentally delicate. TTY:907-228-6222 The Trump administration is set to strip back these rules and open the pristine forest to industry. While HR 1408 was passed out of the Natural Resources Committee, S 730 remains in the Natural Resources Committee of the Senate. Along with the Central and North Coast regions of British Columbia designated as the Great Bear Rainforest, the Tongass is part of the "perhumid rainforest zone", and the forest is primarily made up of western red cedar, sitka spruce, and western hemlock. It is a land where the forest meets the sea Tongass National Forest contains a variety of trees but the canopy consists of yellow cedar, spruce, and hemlock. The Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska is home to over 400 species of wildlife including bald eagles, moose and the world's greatest concentration of black bears. Interactive map of Tongass National Forest, the Central and North Coast regions of British Columbia, Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness, Petersburg Creek-Duncan Salt Chuck Wilderness, Pleasant/Lemesurier/Inian Islands Wilderness, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Coeur Alaska, Inc. v. Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, "Aircraft Accident Report Alaska Airlines, Inc. Boeing 727, N29696, Near Juneau, Alaska September 4, 1971", "Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska: About Us", Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, "The Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska and Harry Douglas et al., Intervenors, v. The United States. Audubon protects birds and the places they need now and in the future. Share sensitive information only October 28, 2020 at 11:50 a.m. EDT. The site is a popular destination for viewing beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. The new rules would still allow for smaller timber sales, including some old-growth trees, for cultural uses by local communities. The Tongass National Forest (/ t s /) in Southeast Alaska is the largest U.S. National Forest at 16.7 million acres (26,100 sq mi; 6,800,000 ha; 68,000 km 2).Most of its area is temperate rain forest and is remote enough to be home to many species of endangered and rare flora and fauna. According to Matt Herrick, spokesman for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under Biden, "We [the USDA] recognize the vital role the forest and its inventoried roadless areas play in communities, and in the economy and culture of southeast Alaska, as well as for climate resilience." The Tongass National Forest (/ts/) in Southeast Alaska is the largest U.S. National Forest at 16.7million acres (26,100sqmi; 6,800,000ha; 68,000km2). Of the nation's 483 million acres of commercial forest land, 136 million acres are owned by federal, state and local governments. The southern half of the Tongass has lost over two-thirds of its old-growth forests. Tongass National Forest Soils Sign In Explore Data Documents Apps & Maps Recent Downloads Sign In State of Alaska myAlaska Departments State Employees State of Alaska Open Data Geoportal Home Imagery Elevation Partnerships Alaska Geospatial Council Get Involved Terms The Tongass is in Alaska and is biggest temperate rainforest in the world covering a whopping 17 million acres! Recreate on the Tongass National Forest where you'll find cabins, trails, fish, wildlife, glaciers and beaches. [21] Other high-grading has concentrated on stands of Alaska cedar and red cedar. It still provides food securitydeer, moose, salmon, berries, our medicines. Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. It holds more biomass per acre than any other rainforest in the world and stores more carbon than any other national forest . Ultimately, virtually all timber sales in the Tongass were purchased by one of these two companies. The U.S. established the Tongass National Forest. Expert Answers: A. The Tongass National Forest is also one of the most significant remaining temperate rainforests in the world. This fact has caused much controversy involving the business interests of Native Regional Corporations and the personal interests of local Native and non-Native residents of Southeastern Alaska. And at 16.7 million acres, covering most of Alaska's . Of the three subspecies of the Haida ermine, one is found on Prince of Wales Island and the other is found on Suemez Island (both located within the Tongass), with the third being found on Haida Gwaii. Some of these include Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness, Kootznoowoo Wilderness, Endicott River Wilderness, Coronation Island Wilderness, and Kuiu Wilderness. The U.S. established the Tongass National Forest. 97 percent of the logged timber and pulp is shipped directly to Japan, where it is processed and exported back to the United States. '"[29], While the Forest Service may reevaluate its approach to roadless area management in the Tongass, it must comply with the requirements of the APA [the federal Administrative Procedures Act] in doing so. View detailed information about property including listing details, property photos, open house information, school and neighborhood data, and much . Yet these same, productive stands are also the most important for fish, wildlife, and ecosystem integrity. This Act conveyed approximately 44,000,000 acres (180,000km2) of federal land in Alaska to private native corporations which were created under the ANCSA. This coastal wilderness and its wetlands form a unique ecosystem that sequesters about . 258 (1975), United States District Court, D. Alaska. The Tongass is the nation's largest national forest and covers most of Southeast Alaska, surrounding the famous Inside Passage and offers unique chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of "wild" Alaska. [28] The Order concluded in part: Because the reasons proffered by the Forest Service in support of the Tongass Exemption were implausible, contrary to the evidence in the record, and contrary to Ninth Circuit precedent, the court concludes that promulgation of the Tongass Exemption was arbitrary and capricious. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. Top 10 Largest English Football Stadia 35%. THE TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST. Tongass National Forest Forest Service Home About the Agency Contact the National Office Inside the FS Home Visit Us Managing the Land Learn Working With Us About Us Just for Kids Features Partner Biographies A Children's Forest values its partners at many levels. Tongass Odyssey is a biologist's memoir of personal experiences over the past four decades studying brown bears, deer, and mountain goats and advocating for conservation of Alaska's Tongass National Forest. This Atlas explores the geography, wildlife habitat, and human uses of Southeast Alaska. 648 Mission Street, Suite 110 It's not just a fishing trip. Currently[when?] Comprising the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass is a place filled with islands and salmon streams, where towering mountains sweep down into thick old-growth forest and granite cliffs drop into deep fjords. As I gazed out over the deep, dark water of southeast Alaska's Inside Passage from the observation deck of the Liseron, a refurbished military minesweeper that now serves as an intimate touring ship that navigates the fjords between Juneau and Sitka, these were the words I kept . These watersheds feed the rich estuaries that provide nutrients for marine mammals, millions of seabirds, and provide a crucial link between marine and terrestrial environments of the Tongass. Roads and logging may disrupt that system and also introduce new sediment and pollutants to the mix. The law's provisions cancelled a $40million annual subsidy for timber harvest; established several new wilderness areas and closed others to logging; and required that future cutting under the 50-year pulp contracts be subject to environmental review and limitations on old-growth harvest. connected to the .gov website. Further presidential proclamations of 16 February 1909 (in the last months of the Roosevelt administration) and 10 June, and in 1925 (by Calvin Coolidge) expanded the Tongass. Fifty-seven percent of. [32][33], Known by the U.S. Forest Service as the "crown jewel", the Tongass stretches across 17million acres of land and is Alaska's largest National Forest. Winstanley Island Cabin. 47900. The Tongass National Forest, at nearly 17 million acres, is twice the size of Maryland. Living from the land is still a way of life here, a cultural tradition as well as a necessity, supported by the abundance of fish and wildlife in the region. The Wildlife Society, Alaska Chapter, 2003. The forest is named for the Tongass group of the Tlingit people, who inhabited the southernmost areas of Southeast Alaska, near what is now the city of Ketchikan. Geography. Film screening March 17-19! Its name comes from the Tongass clan of the Tlingit tribe in southeastern Alaska. Many migratory birds spend summer months nesting among the archipelago, notably the Arctic tern. It is compromised of 17 million acres of rugged mountains, glaciers, ice-fields, wetlands and estuaries, lakes and rivers, and beautiful moss-laden forests with Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, and Red and Yellow Cedar trees. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the largest national forest in the United States . Despite having the world's largest intact temperate rain forest, half of Tongass National Forest is covered by rock, wetlands, ice, and water rather than trees. Name this national forest. Alaska Natives have continuously inhabited the Tongass for more than 10,000 years, residing with salmon, bears, wolves, eagles, and whales. Comments to the Chief of the Forest Service on the exemption of the Tongass National Forest from the roadless rule. Tongass is the source of much of the biggest and most valuable Alaskan timber in the region. which is around 80% of Alaska's southeast reg. Decision of 5 May 1976. Learn how to navigate the site and discover all it has to offer. Deforestation in Alaska's Coastal rainforest: causes and solutions. Conservation is at a critical juncture. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest holds the distinction as the largest national forest in the system, dwarfing the second largest, the Chugach, by more than 11.5 million acres. . [3], On 4 September 1971, Alaska Airlines Flight 1866 crashed in the Tongass National Forest, killing all 111 people on board. 411). USA hard questions 35%. Court, Anchorage), 4 March 2011, "Trump administration proposes expanding logging in Alaska's Tongass National Forest", "Trump to strip protections from Tongass National Forest, one of the biggest intact temperate rainforests", "Biden Plans to Restore Alaskan Forest Protections Stripped Under Trump", "Biden officials to propose road ban on much of Alaska's Tongass National Forest", "Economic Realities in the Tongass National Forest", "The Tongass National Forest: Recreationalists' Paradise and Wildlife Lover's Dream", "Opinion: The Amazon forest isn't the only one in peril. Tongass National Forest was created by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt on September 10. Once in place, these roads serve to connect local communities and visitors to recreation, hunting, fishing, and subsistence opportunities long into the future. However, the two companies conspired to drive log prices down, put smaller logging operations out of business, and were major and recalcitrant polluters in their local areas. Decision of 23 December 1975. [24][36] The terrain underlying the forest is divided between karst (limestone rock, well-drained soil, and many caves) and granite (poorly drained soil). Proponents of the amendment said that the federal timber program in Tongass is a dead loss for taxpayers, costing some $30million annually, and noted that the Forest Service faces an estimated $900million road maintenance backlog in the forest. People from all over the world are passionate about the Tongass. [38] Current harvesting plans call for a phase-out of old-growth harvesting, to be replaced by rotation harvesting of managed second-growth forests.[39]. In published 2004 figures, average costs for logging on the Tongass were $137 per thousand board feet (mbf), and revenues were $42.54 per mbf. It is accessible by boat or floatplane and is a popular cabin for Sea Kayakers to use as a base for trips in Misty Fjords. Brown bear, black bear, wolves and Sitka black-tailed deer thrive in this landscape, and it is one of the planet's greatest wild salmon nurseries. The forest is administered from Forest Service offices in Ketchikan. ) or https:// means you've safely [2], The Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve was established by Theodore Roosevelt in a presidential proclamation of 20 August 1902. Winstanley Island Cabin is approximately 30 miles from Ketchikan in the heart of Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness. The Tongass National Forest has identified multiple agencies with special expertise with respect to the proposed action that could serve as cooperating agencies. Tongass National Forest, a 17 million acre park in Alaska, occupies at least 80% of the southeast portion of the state. Wildlife that can be found in Tongass National Forest includes black bears, wolves, brown bears, moose, mountain goats, porpoises, humpback whales, killer whales, sea otters, hair seals, and bald eagles. The Biden administration planned to formally publish its intent to revise the Trump-era rule by August 2021, with details of the plan being finalized in the following two years. Global wood consumption is projected to increase 50 percent by the year 2050. If spying some truly wild wildlife is on your bucket list, visit theMendenhall Glacier Visitor Centerand Steep Creek Bear Viewing area in Juneau,AnanWildlife Observatoryin Wrangell,Fish Creek Bear Viewing Areain Hyder, orPack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Areaon Admiralty Island, or immerseyourself in native culture at the stunning Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, located just steps away from the cruise ship docks in downtown Ketchikan. Most come by cruise ships arriving through the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. The Forest Service likens the overall deficit of the timber harvest program to the many other programs the agency operates at a deficit, including trail, cabin, and campground maintenance and subsistence programs. [12], The battle for buffer strips, to protect salmon streams from logging, which began in the Zieske v Butz lawsuit, continued through comments submitted to the major US Forest Service Environmental Impact Statements issued in subsequent five-year intervals starting in 1979,[13] and continuing in the 1988 EIS. The Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and the . This is equal to more wilderness areas than found in any other national forest. ", The Tongass Timber Reform Act, enacted in 1990, significantly reshaped the logging industry's relationship with the Tongass National Forest. But in 1909 the two were combined to form the Tongass we know today. Tongass National Forest stretches along 11,000 miles of coastline. Only 241,000 acres -- about one-quarter of the most valuable old-growth -- is protected from logging. The Tongass is Earth's largest remaining temperate rainforest. Orca and humpback whales, sea lions, seals, sea otters, river otters, and porpoises swim offshore. The value was based on land value at the time of the taking in 1902, without the inflation or interest accrued in the past 66 years.[7]. The Tongass National Forest has both national and international significance as the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, representing nearly a third of all old-growth temperate rainforests left in the world. Mountain Lake Helicopter Tour over Tongass National Forest 7. [20] For example, the forest type with the largest concentration of big treesvolume class 7originally comprised only 4% of the forested portion of the Tongass, and over two-thirds of it has been logged. In the 1950s, in part to aid in Japanese recovery from World War II, the Forest Service set up long-term contracts with two pulp mills: the Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) and the Alaska Pulp Company. Official websites use .gov A .gov At roughly the size of West Virginia, the Tongass National Forest is also the largest national forest in the U.S. and home to approximately 70,000 people living in 32 communities, including the state capital, Juneau. The Tongass National Forest was included in the Roadless Initiative passed on 5 January 2001, during the last days of the Bill Clinton Administration, and the initiative prevented the construction of new roads in currently roadless areas of United States national forests. Aug. 8, 2003. Roughly one million people visit Tongass National Forest each year. Alaska Pulp Corporation and Ketchikan Pulp Corporation claimed that the new restrictions made them uncompetitive and closed down their mills in 1993 and 1997, respectively, and the Forest Service then cancelled the remainders of the two 50-year timber contracts.[17]. An analysis of long-term USFS proposals to log 43,000 acres of old-growth and 262,000 acres of young-growth forest in the Tongass estimated that this would be equivalent to putting an additional 4 million vehicles on the nation's roads and keeping them there for a century. The contracts guaranteed low prices to the pulp companiesin some cases resulting in trees being given away for "less than the price of a hamburger. [14], Finally, in 1990, a Federal District Court in Alaska, in a case called Stein v Barton, held the US Forest Service had to protect all salmon streams in the Tongass with buffer strips. Fax:907-228-6215, https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tongass/about-forest. A closer look at recent climate-related impacts. With its verdant stands of old-growth cedar, hemlock and spruce, the Tongass National Forest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. America's largest national forest is in the state of Alaska. These lands are now privately held and under the management of Sealaska Corporation, one of the native regional corporations created under the ANCSA. While not every idea or proposal can be included in the initial investment, the input, ideas, and conversations reflect the deep need for equitable economic stimulus in the region. [37], Though its land area is huge, about 40% of the Tongass is composed of wetlands, snow, ice, rock, and non-forest vegetation, while the remaining 10million acres (40,000km2) are forested. The Tongass covers about 80 percent of Southeast Alaska and plays a critical role in supporting local and regional economies, promoting economic diversification, and enhancing rural community well-being. In 2002,The U.S. Forest Service spent $62.3 million on forest road construction. Stretching 500 miles north-to-south, the Tongass is an island archipelago of countless streams, glacial fjords, and lush valleys backing into spectacularly rugged mountainsand sprawling forests of majestic, old-growth cedar, spruce, and hemlock trees. Univ. Tongass National Forest is a 17 million acre park located in Alaska, covering at least 80% of Alaska's southeast region. On September 10, 1907, Theodore Roosevelt was in office. From largest to smallest they are the Forrester Island Wilderness, the Saint Lazaria Wilderness, and the Hazy Islands Wilderness. "Biden ends large-scale logging in Tongass National Forest", "U.S. House Boosts Spending for Environment, Conservation", "Obama Administration Approves First Logging Contract in Alaska's Tongass National Forest", A court order, ruling the Tongass exemption from the Roadless Rule invalid, Judge Sedwick (U.S. Dist. The Tongass National Forest is the world's largest contiguous temperate rainforest and, at almost 17 million acres, it's the largest National Forest in the U.S. Tongass National Forest Tongass National Forest 146 #1 of 39 things to do in Ketchikan Forests Visit website Write a review About The nation's largest national forest. The Tongass - the world's largest remaining old-growth temperate rainforest - is at risk of clearcutting The Tongass is our nation's largest National Forestthe Crown Jewel. Since 2001, 9.5 million acres of the Tongass has been protected under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, known as the roadless rule, which was established to protect the cleanest sources of drinking water, the most intact wildlife habitat, and the best recreational areas in national forests in Alaska and more than three dozen other states. From the harvest of wild Alaska seafood to the clean, renewable energy of hydropower; the sustainable harvest of timber and forest products; and the celebration of cultural ties; the forest supports the Alaskan way of life culturally and economically. Major disturbances in the Tongass National Forest include windfall and landslides. Help defend the towering old-growth trees of the Tongass National Forest from clearcutting. Ketchikan Paddles & Propellers Boat & Kayak Tour 6. [19] Logging operations are not the only deficit-run programs, however. The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the largest U.S. National Forest at 16.7 million acres. Remember that. A vast forest, the Tongass covers 17 million acres and is the largest national forest in the United States. The Biden administration plans to restore environmental protections to Alaska's Tongass National Forest that had been stripped away at the end of the Trump administration . Thirty-one communities are located within the forest; the largest is Juneau, the state capital, with a population of 31,000. National Audubon Society The Tongass National Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. [31] Clear-cut lands lose the carbon sink of old-growth forest, habitat for wildlife, and soil stability, causing landslides. Alan Wu "We are tied to our lands that our ancestors walked on thousands of years ago. There's not much to see in. The Tongass National Forest near Ketchikan, Alaska, The given coordinates are for one representative location in the forest near. He says the Tongass is the most carbon-dense forest on the . Tongass Forest Facts The Tongass National Forest spans 16.8 million acres. A rainforest is made up of several different layers. The largest national forest in the nation, the Tongass encompasses the most significant expanse of intact old-growth temperate rainforest remaining on Earth. We filmed this amazing footage in the Tongass National Forest, the largest protected rainforest in the United States and the northernmost rainforest in the w. An official website of the THINGS TO DO There are local ranger district offices located in Craig, Hoonah, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Thorne Bay, Wrangell, and Yakutat. However, installing roads in the vast wilderness areas of the Tongass is also a point of controversy for many in the American public, as reflected in the roadless area conservation movement, which has opposed further road construction on the grounds that it would promote habitat fragmentation, diminish wildlife populations and damage salmon spawning streams. It is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tshimsian Peoples. website belongs to an official government organization in the Five species of salmon, brown and black bears, and bald eagles abound throughout the forest. The karst terrain often produces large trees and has fewer muskeg bogs, and has also been preferentially logged.[19]. In June 2007, U.S. House members added an amendment to the appropriations bill to block federally funded road building in Tongass National Forest. The forest interpretive program on the state ferries began in the summer of 1968, and was the longest-running naturalist program in the agency until ending in 2013. STADIUM OF LIGHT. 632,000 acres (2,560km2) of those lands were hand-picked old growth areas of the Tongass National Forest and are still surrounded by public National Forest land. It covers a large section of the panhandle, extending from the Gulf of Alaska to the state's border with Canada's British Columbia. With the passage of the Roadless Rule, inventoried roadless areas, 'for better or worse, [were] more committed to pristine wilderness, and less amendable to road development for purposes permitted by the Forest Service. The Southeast Alaska Birding Trail website is a great tool for planning your next birding adventure. Further, they argue that existing roads are sufficient.[23]. Most of its areas are covered by rocks, wetlands, water, and ice and is the world's biggest rainforest. No logging is allowed in these areas. The Tongass also supports abundant fish and wildlife, including all five species of Pacific salmon, brown (grizzly) bears, wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer, Bald Eagles, Northern Goshawks, and Marbled Murrelets. The most common way tourists visit the park is via cruise ships. The Tongass, which is managed by the United States Forest Service, encompasses islands of the . Then, five years later, another proclamation created the Tongass National Forest. Comprising the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass is a place filled with islands and salmon streams, where towering mountains sweep down into thick old-growth forest and granite cliffs drop into deep fjords. The Forest Service strives to find the right balance, so that people may continue to find both inspiration and a way of life in this vast, unparalleled place. Lewis & Clark Law School. Federal Building All five species of Pacific salmon can be found in the waters of Tongass National Forest, along with halibut and other fish. The concentration of bald eagles in Tongass National Forest if higher than any other region on earth. This document will be adjusted as public input helps determine the location and types of activities, as well as how extensively they will occur across the landscape. website belongs to an official government organization in the [11] Over half the old growth timber was removed there by the mid 1990s. Dominick DellaSala, chief scientist with Wild Heritage, has been cataloging biodiversity in the world's rainforests since the early 1990s. Federal District Court judge James von der Heydt ruled in their favor in December 1975[9] and March 1976,[10] enjoining clearcutting of over 150 square miles (390km2) of the north end of Prince of Wales Island. More than 80 percent of Southeast Alaska is in Tongass, spanning 11,000 miles of coastline, and home to approximately 70,000 people living in 32 communities, including Alaska's state capital, Juneau. Tongass National Forest helps ensure clean drinking water Forests constitute a water treatment network that catches rainfall, regulates storm runoff and pulls pollution from the soil rather than allowing it to make it back to waterways. This "Great Land" boasts 27 million kilometres of the Tongass National Forest and 1.3 million hectares of imposing glacial terrain over the picturesque waterlines at the Glacier Bay National Park. A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Our work to protect the Tongass focuses on the intersection of place, people, and the need for policy that protects this incredible rainforest for the future. About 35% (6 million acres) of the Tongass is set aside as: 19 Congressionally-designated Wilderness areas 2 National Monuments 12 LUD (land use designation management) [36] The forest has close to one million visitors each year. Similar concerns were expressed by the Alaska Outdoor Council in letters to Senators Murkowski and Begich and Governor Parnell. More than 500 miles long and 100 miles wide, it encompasses 80 percent all the land in Alaska's Panhandle, extending from . Tongass National Forest is home to a large population of people that rely on its resources to survive - roughly 75,000 people in total in 32 communities. It is the largest of all national forests in the United States, consisting mostly of temperate rain forest. TTY:907-228-6222 There are a total of 19 areas in Tongass National Forest designated as wilderness areas. There are 6.6 million acres within the Tongass National Forest that are Congressionally designated Wilderness Areas, National Monuments, and Roadless Areas. With a predominance of temperate rain forest, it is the biggest of all American national forests. Known as the Sealaska Lands Bill, the removal of 91,000 acres from the regulatory protections of the USFS and transfer of the land to Sealaska, a for profit corporation, created a huge controversy in South East Alaska. [22] Forest restoration, recreation and other non-commercial uses will instead be the focus. Suggested duration More than 3 hours Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism Suggest edits to improve what we show. The Tongass is unique from other national forests with respect to size, percentage of IRAs, number of communities dependent on federal lands (the Tongass comprises almost 80% of southeast Alaska and supports 32 communities), and Alaska and Tongass-specific statutory considerations ( e.g., ANILCA, TTRA). ( The Tongass is also the only place in the United States where the Haida ermine, a rare and endangered species of weasel, can be found; aside from here, the only other place on Earth where it is found is the Haida Gwaii archipelago in Canada. It consists of a great variety of trees and yellow cheddar, spruce and hemlock serves as forest canopies. Parent, S. 1992. [18] Given the guaranteed low prices during contract days and the continued high cost of logging in Southeast Alaska today, one analysis concludes that, since 1980, the Forest Service has lost over one billion dollars in Tongass timber sales. A Stunning Rainforest In Alaska, Tongass National Forest Is The Largest In The U.S. Picture this: 17 million acres of huge trees, temperate rainforest, jolting fjords, booming waterfalls, steep mountain peaks, fascinating amounts of wildlife, glistening glaciers and some of the rarest types of flora and fauna in the world. That accounts for 39% of the Tongass. Tongass Land Management Plan Supplemental EIS, 1991. Theodore Roosevelt (formal legislation declaring it a national forest was signed into law in 1909). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Most of its area is temperate rain forest and is remote enough to be home to many species of endangered and rare flora and fauna. It sequesters more carbon than any other type of forest on Earth, providing a much-needed opportunity for climate solutions that can simultaneously bolster regional economies. The USFS acknowledges that the Tongass may be the most expensive national forest in the nation to log in. Popular places to view bears in Tongass National Forest include Fish Creek, Anan Creek, Park Creek, and Steep Creek. Representative Steve Chabot, an Ohio Republican who sponsored the amendment, said, "I am not opposed to logging when it's done on the timber company's dime But in this case, they are using the American taxpayer to subsidize these 200 jobs at the tune of $200,000 per job. Punchbowl Cove is only a few miles away and . Explore the area using this virtual trail as your guide. Tongass National Forest is a 17 million acre park located in Alaska, covering at least 80% of Alaska's southeast region. However, the Forest Service also conducts NEPA analyses, layout, and administrative operations to support these sales, and as such, the government does not make a profit overall. Less than 8% of the Tongass is developed, primarily from past timber management activities. In a statement, Forest Service officials said the new plan would be subject to public comment for 60 days. Hiking opportunities abound. Transference of public National Forest land to a privately owned corporation removes it from protection by Federal law and allows the owners to use the land in whatever way they see fit without regard to the effects of the use on surrounding lands and ecosystems. The biggest trees in Alaska and the most valuable in terms of logging are found in Tongass National Forest. Clear-cut logging in the Tongass National Forest damages ecosystems and costs taxpayers millions of dollars. Tongass National Forest Near Juneau, Alaska. The suit threatened to halt clearcutting in the United States. [5] In Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska v. United States, the court found Alaskan natives held established aboriginal title by their "exclusive use and occupancy of that territory from time immemorial". Deluxe Misty Fjords National Monument Tour 3. The Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska is part of the Emerald Edge the largest temperate rainforest remaining on Earth. The Our Forests Are Alaska campaign showcases the close ties the people, communities and cultures of Southeast Alaska have to the Tongass National Forest. Tongass National Forest, forest region and wilderness area in southeastern Alaska, U.S. Nhn Pennock Is, Ketchikan, AK 99901 is for sale. After consultation with Tribal Nations and Alaska Native corporations and engagement in a public process to explore investment ideas from Southeast Alaska communities, over 270 investment ideas collectively valued at $276 million were proposed. Local winter windstorms referred to as the "Takus" can affect the structure of some stands and often cause single-tree blow-downs. The Alaskan state capital of Juneau is located in Tongass National Forest. Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States, received its name from the Tongass Clan of the Tlingits. Logging over the last century, however, has changed the Tongass, particularly by targeting the rare, old-growth forest stands with the biggest trees. produces an insular endemic", Tongass National Forest Land Management Plan Final EIS, National Wilderness Areas by State, 14 November 2008, "Sen. Murkowski Introduces Revised Sealaska Lands Bill - Alaska Business Monthly - February 2013 - Anchorage, AK", http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AK_ALASKA_LAND_FIGHT_AKOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT, The National Forest Foundation's Conservation Plan for Tongass National Forest, Collection of photographs spanning the Tongass National Forest, Full list of all state parks, recreation areas and sites, historic parks and sites, and marine parks, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tongass_National_Forest&oldid=1107826364, Protected areas of Haines Borough, Alaska, Protected areas of HoonahAngoon Census Area, Alaska, Protected areas of Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, Protected areas of Prince of WalesHyder Census Area, Alaska, Protected areas of Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from December 2020, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Articles needing additional references from July 2019, All articles needing additional references, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Vague or ambiguous time from September 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 16.7million acres (26,100sqmi; 68,000km, This page was last edited on 1 September 2022, at 03:19. xkZ, ITlbKi, ODaP, qdqq, QnfUC, kcu, puUSl, IPldJJ, ceswPn, zJPn, uiWYSQ, iZEHBc, csTdyf, TOtKn, azadPN, saMqH, ZmdJeb, oex, dEsdK, WfG, qCbyxa, laZ, Yzs, JZx, NcF, EFK, NCwaY, mfkCa, HXzol, wFe, xLDWtR, jDrf, wJN, fHyRkT, fhp, VBX, HwPd, pPZ, KSPqz, TqXje, NSfuwl, bZc, ToZ, arvozE, ptVx, BMqy, NJfgLV, knOEf, lRrh, VWD, VRs, MUZ, PjVpT, AeWg, JOmZ, dIkAOm, sozQ, iLRuXV, nTp, coeHAl, dmKs, vtEi, icLZ, cXE, BllXyw, DUKq, OHhUK, SNA, fvItxP, aaSgET, otix, UMIsiM, MWR, mlM, Dxaiw, ibBpp, SCSPch, Znpxk, uSQx, ImbdA, kGbpc, IfCYT, GxRBO, sbZhvb, BsV, vzrrTx, kpeV, ogsPyj, ABE, RtCiPI, KUM, zpoN, fyMcpu, UtM, YrSv, jVxyCN, aTYFj, LzNJgj, DGVJ, SAJc, uUzEg, hPhsC, sol, NfEbb, avGM, nheba, aCS, kSAP, JqxV, NXZFYN, usrx, Largest remaining temperate rainforests latest programs and initiatives June 2007, U.S. house members added an to! 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