Today, the Biden administration announced that it will "repeal or replace" a rule and revisit the Roadless Area Conservation Rule on the Tongass National Forest, which was eliminated by the Trump administration.

In October 2020, the U.S. Forest Service released its record of decision that eliminated the national Roadless Area Conservation Rule on the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. The Roadless Rule has been in place since 2001 and protects about 9.2 million acres in the Tongass, including old-growth trees and habitat for salmon, Alexander Archipelago wolves and Sitka black-tailed deer, from logging and associated roadbuilding. According to the Forest Service, 96% of commenters on the proposal wanted to see the Roadless Rule remain in place. But despite this overwhelming support for protecting our national forest lands, the Trump administration decided to ignore the public and pave the way for more logging and roadbuilding in the Tongass.

Statement from Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska program director, Defenders of Wildlife:

“We appreciate this announcement and urge the administration to rescind the destructive Trump-era rule for the Tongass promptly. Without the Roadless Rule, logging and roadbuilding put imperiled wildlife and their habitat at risk. Defenders will continue to advocate for roadless and old forest protections for the Tongass and all our nation’s forests because they are essential for wildlife conservation and climate protection.”

Image
Stikine-LeConte Wilderness Area, Tongass National Forest
Brian Logan/USFS

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

News

Image
2016.06.27 - Landscape of Selkirk Mountains - Idaho Panhandle National Forest - Idaho - Jon Knechtel
Washington, D.C.

Defenders Slams Trump Interior Pick Burgum

Trump made known that he intends to nominate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior, giving authority of the nation’s public lands, wildlife and natural resources to a leading advocate of oil and gas drilling.
Image
2010.10.28 - Caribou Grazing in Front of Mountains - Alaska - Colin Arisman.jpg
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Defenders Opposes Proposed Illegal Land Exchange in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

Conservation groups are outraged today by a Department of the Interior’s proposal released today to trade away congressionally-designated wilderness lands within the Izembek National Wildlife