The Biden administration will end large-scale sales of old-growth timber in the Tongass National Forest on the Alaska panhandle, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday. The move is a key part of a southeast Alaska sustainability strategy that will be written in collaboration with local groups and invest $25 million in financial and technical assistance for economic growth and community well-being.
The USDA said it will also propose restoring a 20-year-old roadless rule applying to 9.3 million acres of the 16.7 million-acre forest. The Tongass, the largest U.S. national forest, is roughly the size of West Virginia. The Trump administration rescinded the roadless rule three months before leaving office.
Under the new sustainability strategy, the USDA will focus on forest restoration, recreation, and resilience, factoring in climate, wildlife habitat, and watershed improvements. Large-scale sales of old-growth trees will end, though small and micro sales of the trees will remain available for community consumption and cultural practices, such as totem poles, canoes, and use by tribal artisans.
The old-growth trees in the Tongass “are critical for carbon sequestration, addressing the climate crisis, and maintaining the productivity and health of the region’s fisheries and fishing industry,” said the USDA.
“We look forward to meaningful consultation with tribal governments and Alaska Native corporations, and engaging with local communities, partners, and the state to prioritize management and investments in the region that reflect a holistic approach to the diverse values present in the region,” said Vilsack. “This approach will help us chart the path to long-term economic opportunities that are sustainable and reflect Southeast Alaska’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent natural resources.”