Dear Secretary Rollins and Chief Schultz,
As a resident of Southeast Alaska, Roadless areas on the Tongass National Forest are essential to my family's way of life and our regional economy. The fishing and visitor industries collectively deliver $2 billion in economic impact and represent 26% of jobs in our region. Roadless areas are home to some of Alaska's most productive salmon and deer habitat, and are particularly important to rural communities that rely on abundant fish and wildlife for our livelihoods and food security.
I live on Prince of Wales Island, where most of the economically-feasible timber has already been harvested by an industry that today represents less than one percent of our regional jobs. Meanwhile, our local salmon and deer populations are declining, and habitat loss is a concerning factor in these trends. That's why our best remaining fish and wildlife habitat should be managed to produce more salmon and deer. These are our most valuable forest products that will sustain our economy and culture in the long run, in addition to supporting the administration's goal of increasing domestic fisheries production.
I urge USDA to maintain the Roadless Rule, which has broad public support. At a minimum, the Department should direct the Forest Service to ensure durable conservation measures are maintained for the most productive fish and wildlife habitat on our national forest lands, including in Alaska. Our rural communities depend on it.
Thank you for your consideration.