I am an Alaska resident with a strong interest in the long-term stewardship of our public lands and natural resources. The Tongass National Forest is an important part of Alaska's environmental, cultural, and economic landscape. I believe it is essential to protect Alaska’s old growth forests, fish and wildlife habitat, and watershed health for the benefit of future generations. These resources are part of what makes Alaska unique, supporting our communities, economy, and way of life while providing opportunities for residents and visitors alike. By safeguarding these landscapes today, we can ensure that healthy forests, productive fisheries, abundant wildlife, and clean water remain available for the next hundred years and beyond.
The Tongass contains some of the most extensive old-growth forests remaining in the United States and is widely recognized for its ability to store large amounts of carbon in its trees, soils, and forest ecosystems. These forests developed over centuries and provide ecological functions that are difficult to replace once disturbed. In addition to carbon storage, old-growth forests support biodiversity, watershed health, and habitat for a wide range of fish and wildlife species. Because the Tongass is one of the largest remaining temperate rainforests in the world and is often described as the nation's largest forest carbon sink, management decisions affecting these forests can have implications for both regional ecosystems and long-term carbon storage.
The Tongass also provides critical habitat for salmon, bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and numerous other species. Its extensive network of undeveloped streams and rivers supports some of the most productive salmon runs in the world, which in turn sustain commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries throughout Southeast Alaska. Healthy salmon populations are a cornerstone of the broader ecosystem, providing a food source for bears, eagles, and other wildlife. Large, intact landscapes help maintain these ecosystems by minimizing habitat fragmentation and preserving the stream conditions that fish and wildlife depend upon.
Beyond their ecological value, these resources support industries and traditions that are central to life in Southeast Alaska. Commercial fishing, tourism, hunting, wildlife viewing, and subsistence activities all benefit from healthy fish and wildlife populations, making the long-term health of the Tongass important to both local communities and the regional economy.
Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service already faces a multibillion dollar road maintenance backlog, and constructing additional roads would create new long-term maintenance, repair, and replacement obligations. Fiscal concerns over expanding an already extensive road network were a key factor in the development of the 2001 Roadless Rule, which recognized that the agency was struggling to adequately maintain existing infrastructure. In Alaska, where road construction and maintenance is particularly costly due to remote locations and challenging environmental conditions, expanding the road system raises important questions about the long-term financial sustainability of additional road development.
Protecting these lands today is an investment in Alaska’s future. By maintaining healthy old growth forests, clean watersheds, and thriving fish and wildlife habitat, we can ensure that the natural resources and landscapes that define Alaska continue to support our communities and enrich the lives of residents and visitors for generations to come.