FS-2025-0001-534469

From Tom Rutecki 1513 Ling Ct Juneau, AK 99801 Please keep the Tongass roadless rule intact for these reasons. Commercial fishing and visitor tourism are the primary economic drivers in Southeast Alaska. The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule directly protects these sectors by preserving the intact ecosystems they rely on: 1. Commercial Fishing & Seafood Industry Economic Value: Southeast Alaska’s commercial fishing industry contributes over $800 million annually to the regional economy and accounts for roughly 15% of local employment. Habitat Preservation: Intact roadless watersheds safeguard clean, cold, and silt-free streams that produce over 70% of the wild salmon harvested in the region. Risk Avoided: Unprotected timber harvesting and road building lead to soil erosion and stream sedimentation, which destroys spawning beds and threatens wild fish populations. 2. Tourism & Visitor Economy Economic Value: Recreation and tourism generate approximately $800 million in regional visitor spending, supporting thousands of local jobs and constituting Southeast Alaska's largest private-sector employer. The "Wild Alaska" Asset: Visitor experiences—ranging from small-ship wilderness cruises and kayak tours to sportfishing and wildlife viewing—rely explicitly on pristine, undisturbed landscapes. Revenue from Protected Areas: Lands covered by the Roadless Rule generate over two-thirds of total Tongass visitor spending (~$245 million). Industrial logging roads and clearcuts fragment these natural viewsheds, permanently degrading the wilderness quality that tourists pay to experience. Economic Comparison: While timber historically defined parts of the region's economy, taxpayer-subsidized logging in the Tongass has resulted in hundreds of millions in federal losses over recent decades. In contrast, fishing and tourism represent sustainable, self-supporting industries that depend directly on keeping forest habitats intact.