Landscape Monitoring Notes — Tongass National Forest

Overview

Southeast Alaska, the home of the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest on the planet, has a renewed threat to the old growth trees from a federal administration and Congress aiming at cutting them down. Mining in the region and upstream in Canada is a threat to the waters and fish and ways of life of Southeast residents. Specific threats include:

● The US Forest Service is proposing the largest timber sales of old growth trees in years on Prince of Wales Island, reversing their 2016 decision to phase out old growth logging. ○ The public has until December 17, 2018 to comment on this timber sale proposal ● The federal Roadless Rule protecting old growth forests in the Tongass is being attacked by Sen. Murkowski, Gov. Walker and the Trump administration, who are proposing an Alaska-specific change to open broad swaths of the Tongass to old growth logging. Hearings this Fall throughout Southeast Alaska, in Anchorage and in Washington DC on the new rule have brought out majority opposition. This update from SEACC spells out the reason for the rush by the government, the process and the overall situation. ● Pressure from Sen. Murkowski to reverse the Tongass Management Plan ● Landless legislation by Sen. Murkowski that would privatize more of the Tongass and make large swaths of old growth forest available for logging. ● A proposed Constantine mine near Haines ● Current mines in Southeast, including Greens Creek and Kensington ● Transboundary mines upstream in British Columbia threatening Southeast waterways ○ The Stikine River is under threat from a renewed Galore Creek Mine prospect ● Alaska has been mentioned as a terminus for an oil pipeline from Alberta

At the same time, Alaska Conservation Foundation continues to fund sustainable futures in Southeast communities where returning to an old growth logging economy is a less attractive option. The Sustainable Southeast Partnership is finding a way forward as a part of Alaska Conservation Foundation-led coordinated efforts to collaborate within and among communities and government agencies. In early 2018, the head of the Tongass National Forest focused less on timber harvest and more on tourism and salmon. A strong tribal voice is pushing back against returning to old growth clearcutting, and even Sealaska Corporation is participating in a multimillion dollar deal to keep old growth trees in the ground.

Details

Non-Profit Organizations & Tribes Involved ● Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, who has among other staff, two Alaska Native grassroots organizers, including the wife of Sealaska Native Corporation Board Chair ● United Tribal Transboundary group is focused on stopping the Transboundary mines ● Lynn Canal Conservation ● Rivers Without Borders ● Sitka Conservation Society has a strong salmon and community support effort ● Stand for Salmon ● Salmon Beyond Borders ● Sealaska Native Corporation Board Chair Joe Nelson ● Trout Unlimited Alaska Chapter ● The Nature Conservancy ● Natural Resources Defense Council ● The Wildlife Society ● Audubon ● Defenders of Wildlife ● Center for Biological Diversity Economic ● Sustainable Southeast Partnership helps communities become more resilient and provides a potential guard against moves to return to old growth logging ● SSP workforce development needs more financial support ● Building a Southeast economy that transitions away from logging and mining are how conservation efforts are focused ● Trump’s tariffs on China are making it harder for Southeast loggers to sell logged trees Political ● Gov. Walker, Sen. Murkowski and the Alaska congressional delegation pushes to return to old growth logging days ● One victory was in the March 2018 budget bill – the Murkowski Tongass riders that would have included mandates for logging were not included

Action

Alaska Conservation Foundation Focus

● Continue funding Sustainable Southeast Partnership, search for funding sources and incorporate efforts into the revived Landscape Conservation Cooperative ● Monitor Tongass legislative developments and the efforts of community advocacy ● Keep ready for Rapid Response opportunities ● Allow Discovery grants where appropriate

Funding ● General support is desired by SEACC ● Find funders willing to support the effort in the Tongass, as requested by SCS Communications ● SEACC “Irreparable Harm” film tells the story of mining threats to indigenous way of life

Conclusion

Both defense and offense need to be deployed in Southeast. Turning back the attempts by the Governor, the Alaska congressional delegation, especially Sen. Murkowski to reverse the Roadless Rule and the Tongass Management Plan are critical.