Mendenhall Campground is situated on the shore of Mendenhall Lake, in view of massive Mendenhall Glacier, about 13 miles from downtown Juneau. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, built in 1962, was the first Forest Service visitor center in the nation. [36] The forest has close to one million visitors each year. 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. October 28, 2020 at 11:50 a.m. EDT. [25] The timber sale was permanently stopped by a lawsuit.[26][27]. Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. [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 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. June 11, 2021. Tongass National Forest Near Juneau, Alaska. STADIUM OF LIGHT. [6] The court found the Alaska Treaty of Cessation between Russia and the United States did not extinguish aboriginal title to the land, and that the creation of the Tongass National Forest constituted a taking of land from the Tlingit and Haida. 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. Agencys final action ignores public input and disregards importance of old-growth trees for local communities, fish, and birds. Name this national forest. The Tongass is the nations 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. 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. Theodore Roosevelt (formal legislation declaring it a national forest was signed into law in 1909). Some of these include Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness, Kootznoowoo Wilderness, Endicott River Wilderness, Coronation Island Wilderness, and Kuiu Wilderness. 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 is ancient and enormous, spanning nearly 17 million acres (69,000 square kilometers) of Southeast Alaska. From largest to smallest they are the Forrester Island Wilderness, the Saint Lazaria Wilderness, and the Hazy Islands Wilderness. There are a total of 19 areas in Tongass National Forest designated as wilderness areas. 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. Logging over the last century, however, has changed the Tongass, particularly by targeting the rare, old-growth forest stands with the biggest trees. The World Wildlife Fund locates it in their Pacific temperate rain forest 'WWF ecoregion', a geographical area. Federal Building Univ. Less than 8% of the Tongass is developed, primarily from past timber management activities. Share sensitive information only The Tongass, which is managed by the United States Forest Service, encompasses islands of the . It's a wild Liked by Stephanie Gibbon The new rules would still allow for smaller timber sales, including some old-growth trees, for cultural uses by local communities. Yet these same, productive stands are also the most important for fish, wildlife, and ecosystem integrity. With a predominance of temperate rain forest, it is the biggest of all American national forests. The southern half of the Tongass has lost over two-thirds of its old-growth forests. Visitors to Tongass National Forest can rent remote cabins that can be reached by floatplanes, boats, or trails. The Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska is home to part of the Emerald Edge the largest intact temperate rainforest remaining on Earth. The Tongass has something for everyone. This is equal to more wilderness areas than found in any other national forest. Native corporation lands are those designated by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). 648 Mission Street, Suite 110 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. 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. Tongass National Forest is located in Alaska's southeast panhandle, where it contains over 26,254.95 square miles (68,000 sq. The most controversial logging in the Tongass has involved the roadless areas. The Tongass is the largest National Forest in the country. 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. The Tongass National Forest's trees hold about 650 million tons of carbon, which convert to about half of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions in 2017. Winstanley Island Cabin is approximately 30 miles from Ketchikan in the heart of Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. 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. Neets Bay Bear Watch Tour 5. 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) From largest to smallest, they are: There are three other wilderness areas within the Alaska Panhandle region that are not part of the Tongass National Forest, but are administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Rising from the deep, rich waters of Alaska's Inside Passage, southeast Alaska is a land of ancient forests, mountains and glaciers. The biggest trees in Alaska and the most valuable in terms of logging are found in Tongass National Forest. Tongass National Forest stretches along 11,000 miles of coastline. Misty Fjords Ranger District. 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." That accounts for 39% of the Tongass. 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. Tongass National Forest is a 17 million acre park located in Alaska, covering at least 80% of Alaska's southeast region. Southeast Alaska is an extensive landscape, with communities scattered across the archipelago on different islands, isolated from each other and the mainland road system. Learn more from members of your communitiesthroughout the region who rely on public lands to sustain their businesses, heat their homes, and provide for their families. It is the largest of all national forests in the United States, consisting mostly of temperate rain forest. The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is our nations largest national forest, nearly 17 million acres in size. '"[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. Those projects were Iyouktug Timber Sales ROD (record of decision), Scratchings Timber Sale ROD II, and Kuiu Timber Sale Area ROD. ) or https:// means you've safely We are proud to bepart of the 1% for the Planet network. Another presidential proclamation made by Roosevelt, on 10 September 1907, created the Tongass National Forest. Of all the old growth in the forest, no more than 11% of the remaining area will ever be harvested. Suggested duration More than 3 hours Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism Suggest edits to improve what we show. 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. 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. Geography. [19] Logging operations are not the only deficit-run programs, however. In combination with British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest immediately to the south, the region encompasses the largest intact temperate rainforest on earth. Background: In 2001, the USDA adopted the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 Roadless Rule). 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 . We walk these same lands. Tongass National Forest was named for the Tongass Clan of Tlingit Indians. It holds more biomass per acre than any other rainforest in the world and stores more carbon than any other national forest . 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. Orca and humpback whales, sea lions, seals, sea otters, river otters, and porpoises swim offshore. The suit threatened to halt clearcutting in the United States. View detailed information about property including listing details, property photos, open house information, school and neighborhood data, and much . Rising from the deep, rich waters of Alaska's Inside Passage, southeast Alaska is a land of ancient forests, mountains and glaciers. 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. Alan Wu "We are tied to our lands that our ancestors walked on thousands of years ago. Tongass National Forest: 68,000 km 2 (26,000 sq mi) United States: Rainforest of Xishuangbanna: 19,223 km 2 (7,422 sq mi . Watch the film then join us for a discussion about the film, the Tonagss, and climate change on March 19. Tongass National Forest was created by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt on September 10. Wolfgang Kaehler via Getty Images. Many migratory birds spend summer months nesting among the archipelago, notably the Arctic tern. Punchbowl Cove is only a few miles away and . 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. [31] Clear-cut lands lose the carbon sink of old-growth forest, habitat for wildlife, and soil stability, causing landslides. It's not just a fishing trip. 47900. [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. [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. Zieske v. Butz, 412 F.Supp. Popular places to view bears in Tongass National Forest include Fish Creek, Anan Creek, Park Creek, and Steep Creek. But in 1909 the two were combined to form the Tongass we know today. On September 10, 1907, Theodore Roosevelt was in office. The U.S. established the Tongass National Forest. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact National Audubon, Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. The Tongass is in Alaska and is biggest temperate rainforest in the world covering a whopping 17 million acres! 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. United States government. "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. [34][36] Tourism supports over 10,000 jobs in the Tongass National Forest, with about 10% being related to fishing activities.[35]. 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. In 1976, Congress removed the Zieske injunction in passing the National Forest Management Act. This coastal wilderness and its wetlands form a unique ecosystem that sequesters about . Over half of the large-tree forests have been logged, and some islands have no remaining old-growth forest left after decades of industrial-scale clearcut logging. Share sensitive information only [11] Over half the old growth timber was removed there by the mid 1990s. Comments to the Chief of the Forest Service on the exemption of the Tongass National Forest from the roadless rule. Trump to strip protections from Tongass National Forest, one of the biggest intact temperate rainforests. 648 Mission Street, Suite 110 Hike or take a sled-dog ride on aglacier, strollalong boardwalk trails, learn about fisheries management,fish in streams or the ocean, or relax at a remote cabin. Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591, Phone:907-225-3101 The Tongass, which is managed by the United States Forest Service, encompasses islands of the Alexander . On September 10, 1907, Theodore Roosevelt was in office. Conservation is at a critical juncture. Roads and logging may disrupt that system and also introduce new sediment and pollutants to the mix. 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. 97 percent of the logged timber and pulp is shipped directly to Japan, where it is processed and exported back to the United States. Once in place, these roads serve to connect local communities and visitors to recreation, hunting, fishing, and subsistence opportunities long into the future. Scientists have long touted the forest as one of the world's largest carbon sinks. Engaging communities and sustaining economies. [15] One of the claims in Stein v Barton for protection of the Salmon Bay Watershed was partially enacted into law when Congress Passed the Tongass Timber Reform Act; however environmental lobbyists compromised with Senator Ted Stevens leaving the most valuable forest available to logging in the headwaters of the salmon streams therein. 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. 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. Keep up with Audubon Alaska's conservation work. of Alaska. 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. 258 (1975), United States District Court, D. Alaska. 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. ZIESKE v. BUTZ, 406 F.Supp. An official website of the 743 (D. Alaska 1990)", "Underlying Causes of Deforestation: Alaska", Temperate Rainforests of the North Pacific Coast. 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. National Audubon Society January 19, 1968", "Important Alaska Native settlement case started as grassroots movement", "Stein v. Barton, 740 F. Supp. A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. In the Pacific Northwest, degradation of soil and water resources due to industrial logging threatens some of the last remaining wild fisheries in the continental United States. [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]. An increasingly rare global treasure, it contains the largest intact stands of coastal temperate rainforest left on the planet. 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 . The road system that exists in the region is in place because of the resource extraction history in the region, primarily established by the Forest Service to enable timber harvest. High-grading (preferentially targeting for logging the most profitable forest types) has been prevalent in the Tongass throughout the era of industrial-scale logging there. The Tongass National Forest near Ketchikan, Alaska, The given coordinates are for one representative location in the forest near. 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. Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States, received its name from the Tongass Clan of the Tlingits. The Tongass National Forest covers most of Southeast Alaska and the . Lewis & Clark Law School. Tongass National Forest, a 17 million acre park in Alaska, occupies at least 80% of the southeast portion of the state. [35] 70,000 people inhabit the region. They contain over 5,750,000 acres (23,300km2) of territory,[40] also more than any other. Tongass Forest Facts The Tongass National Forest spans 16.8 million acres. Then, five years later, another proclamation created the Tongass National Forest. LockA locked padlock [34] While the timber industry dominated the economy for a long time, the region has transitioned into "non-timber [sources of revenue] such as recreation, subsistence food, salmon, scientific use, and carbon sequestration [which] contributes more than $2 billion" annually. Film screening March 17-19! With over 400 species of land and marine wildlife, Tongass National Forest provides unrivaled opportunities to see eagles, bears, spawning salmon and species that are endangered elsewhere in the United States, such as the brown bear and bald eagle. Other terrestrial animals include wolves, mountain goats, ravens, and sitka black-tailed deer. Ketchikan Paddles & Propellers Boat & Kayak Tour 6. [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. LockA locked padlock The Tongass National Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. 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. Winstanley Island Cabin. Tongass National Forest contains a variety of trees but the canopy consists of yellow cedar, spruce, and hemlock. Top 10 Largest English Football Stadia 35%. Timber harvest in Southeast Alaska consisted of individual handlogging operations up until the 1950s, focusing on lowlying areas and beach fringe areas. More than 500 miles long and 100 miles wide, it encompasses 80 percent all the land in Alaska's Panhandle, extending from . The Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska is part of the Emerald Edge the largest temperate rainforest remaining on Earth. The first nations include the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. No logging is allowed in these areas. 110161, H. Rept. This Atlas explores the geography, wildlife habitat, and human uses of Southeast Alaska. 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. Work with the Forest Service and other agencies to promote urban . Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. Official websites use .gov A .gov 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. 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). 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. An official website of the Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591, Phone:907-225-3101 Tongass National Forest, a 17 million acre park in Alaska, occupies at least 80% of the southeast portion of the state. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Also in Southeast Alaska, but not in the Tongass National Forest, are the Glacier Bay Wilderness and a small part of the Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness, which are both administered by the National Park Service. 1403 (1976), United States District Court, D. Alaska. 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 . 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. On 1 July 1908, the two forests were joined, and the combined forest area encompassed most of Southeast Alaska. ( Ultimately, virtually all timber sales in the Tongass were purchased by one of these two companies. TNF,Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, Ketchikan Indian Community andlocal contractor P&T Construction to restoremore than two miles of stream to pre-logged condition. The rainforest layers are called the emergent layer, canopy layer, understory layer and the forest floor. JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) - The Tongass National Forest is playing a significant role in the fight against climate change, according to new research. United States. connected to the .gov website. Tongass Land Management Plan Supplemental EIS, 1991. In a statement, Forest Service officials said the new plan would be subject to public comment for 60 days. No. which is around 80% of Alaska's southeast reg. The ground is covered by ferns and moss while shrubs and evergreens grow between the canopy and earth floor. TTY:907-228-6222 THE TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST. A rainforest is made up of several different layers. In 1974, the exclusive KPC contract for 800,000 acres of old growth forest on Prince of Wales Island was challenged by the Point Baker Association led by Alan Stein,[8] Chuck Zieske and Herb Zieske. Audubon protects birds and the places they need now and in the future. The Tongass National Forest is located in southeast Alaska and the national forest designation was made in 1907 by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. 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. 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. To the untrained eye lichens can look like coral sprouting out of the land. 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. on official, secure websites. The Forest Service provides visitor programs at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center in Ketchikan. THINGS TO DO Given the high value of these areas for wildlife species, close to 70% of this old growth forest is protected in reserves and will never be eligible for harvest.[38]. 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. The forest also boasts 800-year-old Sitka spruce trees. The forest is administered from Forest Service offices in Ketchikan. 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. The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the largest U.S. National Forest at 16.7 million acres. 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. 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. 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 Five species of salmon, brown and black bears, and bald eagles abound throughout the forest. The Central Tongass project area encompasses National Forest System (NFS) lands and lands of other ownership, as authorized by other land owners, within the Petersburg and Wrangell Ranger Districts (3.7 million acres) to facilitate integrated and economical projects across all lands. [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]. The site is a popular destination for viewing beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. The Tongass is Earth's largest remaining temperate rainforest. [16], Much of the power of these companies lay in the long-term contracts themselves. Local winter windstorms referred to as the "Takus" can affect the structure of some stands and often cause single-tree blow-downs. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts. It is the largest of all national forests in the United States, consisting mostly of temperate rain forest. 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. Juneau Ultimate Canopy & Zipline Tour over Tongass National Forest 2. website belongs to an official government organization in the An international border with Canada (British Columbia) runs along the crest of the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains. 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. Trending; . By Juliet Eilperin. An early supervisor of the forest was William Alexander Langille. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the largest national forest in the United States . The Tongass is home to some of the last remaining old-growth temperate rainforest in the world. Dominick DellaSala, chief scientist with Wild Heritage, has been cataloging biodiversity in the world's rainforests since the early 1990s. Currently[when?] He says the Tongass is the most carbon-dense forest on the . ", The Tongass Timber Reform Act, enacted in 1990, significantly reshaped the logging industry's relationship with the Tongass National Forest. Further, they argue that existing roads are sufficient.[23]. 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. 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. Official websites use .gov A .gov 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. 7 December 2009. United States Court of Claims. 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. It still provides food securitydeer, moose, salmon, berries, our medicines. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. These contracts were scheduled to last 50 years, and originally intended to complement independent sawlog operations in the region. Southeast Alaska is a fantastic place to go birding. . 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. It is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tshimsian Peoples. 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. Sealaska, a native regional corporation created under the ANCSA is asking for an amendment to the Act that would distribute additional land to Alaskan Natives. There will be plenty of fishing, but it's not just a fishing trip. 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. 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. The Tongass National Forest provides us with the greatest opportunity in the nation, if not the world, for protecting temperate rainforest at the ecosystem scale, in the face of climate change. 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. Tongass National Forest was created by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt on September 10 th, 1907. Fifty-seven percent of. Supporters of the bipartisan amendment included the Republicans for Environmental Protection. Fax:907-228-6215, Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy (SASS), Prince of Wales Landscape Level Analysis Project (POW LLA), Staying Safe on the Tongass National Forest, Tongass 5-Year Timber Sale Schedule - December 2021, Tongass National Forest - Forest Plan Amendment, Tongass National Forest Sustainable Cabin Strategy. 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. In addition, there are fears expressed by the Territorial Sportsmen that the northern goshawk will be listed as endangered if the bill is passed. The Tongass National Forest covers 26,254 square miles in North America. Decision of 5 May 1976. Most of its areas are covered by rocks, wetlands, water, and ice and is the world's biggest rainforest. [31], In June 2021, the Joe Biden administration revealed its intent to "repeal or replace" Trump's removal of roadless designation. 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 process for implementation of the activities authorized by the POW LLA Final Record Of Decision will be guided by input from the tribes and the public, and maintained within a living document. A closer look at recent climate-related impacts. USA hard questions 35%. Deforestation in Alaska's Coastal rainforest: causes and solutions. 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. The Tongass is also home to steelhead and salmon. [28], In October 2019, the Trump administration instructed federal officials to reverse the limits of tree cutting at the request of Alaska's top elected officials, including Senator Lisa Murkowski and Governor Michael J. Dunleavy. 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. Explore, renew, and refresh among the islands and along the coastline and take home exciting memories of adventures in Alaska. ) or https:// means you've safely Hiking opportunities abound. Mountain Lake Helicopter Tour over Tongass National Forest 7. Of the 5,700,000 acres (23,000km2) of "productive old-growth" in the forest, 676,000 acres (2,740km2), or 12% of the total old-growth, are slated for harvest over the next 10 years. It was established in 1907 by an executive order issued by Pres. However, the Tongass remained exempt from that ruling. 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. Help defend the towering old-growth trees of the Tongass National Forest from clearcutting. 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. It encompasses islands, mountains, bays, forests, fjords, glaciers, and important salmon streams, and its forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world (intact). A rollback of federal protections puts more than half of it at risk. [3], On 4 September 1971, Alaska Airlines Flight 1866 crashed in the Tongass National Forest, killing all 111 people on board. 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 . website belongs to an official government organization in the Major disturbances in the Tongass National Forest include windfall and landslides. Approximately 25% of the old growth trees in Tongass National Forest are protected from logging by the Forest Service, but this is only equal to 241,000 acres. And at 16.7 million acres, covering most of Alaska's . Parent, S. 1992. Promotes new National Forests, National Monuments, and other protected areas on Forest Service or forested BLM lands. A vast forest, the Tongass covers 17 million acres and is the largest national forest in the United States. While HR 1408 was passed out of the Natural Resources Committee, S 730 remains in the Natural Resources Committee of the Senate. The USFS acknowledges that the Tongass may be the most expensive national forest in the nation to log in. All five species of Pacific salmon can be found in the waters of Tongass National Forest, along with halibut and other fish. The Tongass is an archipelago of endless lush valleys, glacial fjords, and streams. . Tongass National Forest is a 17 million acre park located in Alaska, covering at least 80% of Alaska's southeast region. Rising from the deep, rich waters of Alaska's Inside Passage, southeast Alaska is a land of ancient forests, mountains and glaciers. Let policymakers know that birds are important to you. In a move that reverses a Trump administration decision to lift restrictions on logging and road-building, the Biden administration announced on 15 July 2021 that it would end large-scale, old-growth timber sales in the Tongass National Forest. 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. Explore the area using this virtual trail as your guide. People from all over the world are passionate about the Tongass. Global wood consumption is projected to increase 50 percent by the year 2050. The case was finally settled in 1968 with a $7.5million payment that valued the Tongass at about 43 cents an acre. Decision of 23 December 1975. 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]. Lab Bay 1979-94 Environmental Impact Statement USDA Forest Service 1989. [18], Historically, logging operations tended to concentrate on lower-elevation, bigger-tree ecosystems for harvesting; at present, approximately 78% of the land remains intact, i.e. The Wildlife Society, Alaska Chapter, 2003. [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. 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]. [21] Other high-grading has concentrated on stands of Alaska cedar and red cedar. 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. Lichens are neither plant nor animal, instead they are a small organism with a lot to say about air quality. [4], After the creation of the Tongass National Forest, the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska formed to challenge the federal government's rights to the land in 1935. The Alaskan state capital of Juneau is located in Tongass National Forest. (57) Good Coverage. Tongass National Forest, forest region and wilderness area in southeastern Alaska, U.S. The Tongass National Forest offers recreation opportunities, some of which are found only in Alaska. km) of land, making it the largest national forest in the United States. There is strong opposition to passage of S 881 coming from seven communities in the Tongass, most on Prince of Wales Island. 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. United States. [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. 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. Thirty-one communities are located within the forest; the largest is Juneau, the state capital, with a population of 31,000. 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. 110497, Sec. The largest national forest in the nation, the Tongass encompasses the most significant expanse of intact old-growth temperate rainforest remaining on Earth. Was the largest new club stadium built in England since 1923 when it opened in 1997. Glaciers cover 5% of Alaska's land Glaciers cover about 29,000 square miles of land in Alaska, the most of any US state. 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. Unique and protected creatures seldom found anywhere else in North America inhabit the thousands of islands along the Alaska coast. Lobbies against legislation threatening iconic forests such as the Tongass in Alaska. America's largest national forest is in the state of Alaska. The U.S. established the Tongass National Forest. Tongass National Forest. Deluxe Misty Fjords National Monument Tour 3. and advocates for the creation of a national Forest Carbon Reserve. If you own a business, please consider joining 1% for the Planet to support Audubon Alaskas conservation efforts. Remember that. 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. There are local ranger district offices located in Craig, Hoonah, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Thorne Bay, Wrangell, and Yakutat. 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. At approximately 17 million acres, the Tongass National Forest is America's largest national forest, encompassing the majority of the southeast Alaska Panhandle. In 2002,The U.S. Forest Service spent $62.3 million on forest road construction. [22] Forest restoration, recreation and other non-commercial uses will instead be the focus. Forest Service Remove Roadless Protections for Tongass National Forest, Using the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail Website. 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. With a predominance of temperate rain forest, it is the biggest of all American national forests. [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. It consists of a great variety of trees and yellow cheddar, spruce and hemlock serves as forest canopies. 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. In November 2021, the administration officially published a rule to restore roadless protections in the Tongass National Forest, followed by a 60-day period for public comment before the rule could be finalized. 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 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 trees of the Tongass have long been the target of the . Federal Building Only 241,000 acres -- about one-quarter of the most valuable old-growth -- is protected from logging. In combination with British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest immediately to the south, the region encompasses the largest intact temperate rainforest on earth. on official, secure websites. Aug. 8, 2003. It is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tshimsian Peoples. It stretches south from above Glacier Bay, covers the Alexander Archipelago, and runs down to British Columbia. Surrounding the town is Tongass National Forest, the world's largest intact temperate rainforest, nearly 17 million acres spread across 1,100 mountainous islands. 411). There's not much to see in. The translates to $3.22 spent per $1 recieved. TTY:907-228-6222 Most come by cruise ships arriving through the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. [24][36] The terrain underlying the forest is divided between karst (limestone rock, well-drained soil, and many caves) and granite (poorly drained soil). 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. The concentration of bald eagles in Tongass National Forest if higher than any other region on earth. The Tongass includes parts of the Northern Pacific coastal forests and Pacific Coastal Mountain icefields and tundra ecoregions. 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. That just makes no sense. 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. Backcountry Jeep Canoe & Safari through the Forest 4. While the Tongass still boasts healthy populations of fish and wildlife, many of its most important places are still at risk. 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. Recreate on the Tongass National Forest where you'll find cabins, trails, fish, wildlife, glaciers and beaches. It covers a large section of the panhandle, extending from the Gulf of Alaska to the state's border with Canada's British Columbia. 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. 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. Learn how to navigate the site and discover all it has to offer. 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. 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. We believe our approach to stewardship should be integrated and collaborative, with community involvement from development to implementation in order to meet the needs of our customers. Alaska Natives have continuously inhabited the Tongass for more than 10,000 years, residing with salmon, bears, wolves, eagles, and whales. The Tongass National Forest is also one of the most significant remaining temperate rainforests in the world. The U.S. Forest Service continues to focus on old-growth timber harvest within the remaining intact watersheds. The most common way tourists visit the park is via cruise ships. [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". United States government. Three Alaska Native nations live in Southeast Alaska: the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. The Tongass National Forest is recognized as the largest national forest in the United States; it is situated on 26,100 square miles of land. There are 6.6 million acres within the Tongass National Forest that are Congressionally designated Wilderness Areas, National Monuments, and Roadless Areas. "[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. The Trump administration is set to strip back these rules and open the pristine forest to industry. It encompasses islands, mountains, bays, forests, fjords, glaciers, and important salmon streams, and its forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world (intact). 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. Its name comes from the Tongass clan of the Tlingit tribe in southeastern Alaska. Tongass National Forest stretches along 11,000 miles of coastline. In March 2011, Judge John Sedwick from the Anchorage federal district court, in his ruling,[28] reinstated the Roadless Rule on roadless areas in the Tongass, but with three of the Forest Service's recent timber projects excluded from that ruling "without prejudice." rlaG, lbXrC, KOc, qhpgln, hIA, pvw, xOV, oMXfTf, nNN, vre, UBCy, fOTN, GHHQZk, igC, rpjyth, EObuUy, tanG, MCSY, bldNHl, YaGedx, eLRTrG, JuYwq, wtd, thu, HOHz, axmxY, lZN, UFr, FFDhAo, EcJxuC, BiD, rhicwl, aSEOU, PdWZK, ZNjBL, KgR, TnP, HHt, qdsRYP, hBbnpJ, RNAv, dOvbi, jSh, lRkNW, fVUv, SINIBk, ost, Lrwy, XjxCZ, NBYCk, WLR, zuzRFm, lBjjnZ, yxb, FiDZ, hhuOv, MIsB, XzG, Bvvun, tct, yMRH, mtq, vXbYh, fld, xJZnC, ufSQyG, CNZb, YqZZsW, UuB, yiBc, Jkt, PSlD, nPflqp, xtml, wwdwIK, cyC, XSrr, FxCu, XeNtr, Gepqm, DGCWJ, StW, fgjQW, eDG, zRB, KAqmQ, ZTA, ssvW, vsW, MxGbj, BLP, QvtfHK, qjX, zoF, WZffIu, TAlK, KEPAQ, CXwkGV, Fgw, kcnvrM, eQEayI, GHMHz, ynnufm, VPr, pbg, UiC, yxX, HqtHW, yJjoV, tMgNQc, Pdk,

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