The federal government is currently reviewing the Tongass National Forest’s roadless rule, a regulation that limits road construction and large-scale logging across millions of acres of wilderness in Southeast Alaska. However, the U.S. Forest Service has opted not to hold public meetings regarding these potential changes.

SEACC Steps In to Facilitate Public Input

In response, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) is hosting a series of community “public hearings” throughout April to gather public testimony. The group intends to submit this testimony directly into the federal record as the Forest Service considers revisions to the existing protections. Nathan Newcomer, SEACC’s Tongass campaigner, explained the decision to hold these hearings after learning the Forest Service had no plans for its own public meetings.

Hearings Feature Diverse Perspectives

“I asked the forest supervisor…if they were going to hold public meetings, and she said ‘no,’” Newcomer stated. Each SEACC event will begin with a panel discussion followed by an open forum for public testimony. Panels are expected to include tribal leaders, business owners, and representatives from hunting, fishing, and subsistence communities.

Newcomer emphasized the importance of showcasing how roadless areas contribute to Southeast Alaska’s economy and way of life. “Alaskans really do depend upon these wild places,” he said, highlighting uses such as subsistence, recreation, tourism, and cultural resources.

Tribal Voices at the Forefront

The SEACC is prioritizing the inclusion of Indigenous voices, recognizing the deep connection of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people to the Tongass National Forest. “They’ve been stewards of this land far longer than anybody else, and so they know how to represent what’s best for the forest,” Newcomer explained.

Hearing Schedule and Locations

The Juneau event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, will feature Mike Jones (Organized Village of Kasaan), Aidan Hood (Alaska Youth for Environmental Action), Jamalie Martell (National Wildlife Federation), and Nicole Weston (Juneau small business owner). Hearings are also planned for Kake on April 3, with Organized Village of Kake President Joel Jackson participating, and Klawock on April 8, with Jones expected to attend alongside other tribal speakers.

SEACC is also exploring additional hearings in other communities and a virtual option in late April or early May.

Upcoming Federal Review and Impact Statement

The Forest Service is expected to publish a draft environmental impact statement on the roadless rule soon, which will initiate a formal 30-day public comment period, potentially beginning as early as late April. This comes after a recent decision to revive the South Revilla timber sale near Ketchikan, which has raised concerns about wildlife habitat and subsistence impacts.

Broader Concerns About the Roadless Rule

Newcomer stressed that the primary concern isn’t individual timber sales, but the potential complete elimination of the roadless rule. He warned that overturning the rule could open previously protected areas to logging. While a recent lawsuit from timber industry groups seeking increased logging access was dismissed, Newcomer cautioned that it doesn’t impact the current rulemaking process.

Timber advocates, like Sarah Dahlstrom of Viking Lumber, argue that consistent timber sales are the biggest challenge facing the industry, not just the roadless rule. Newcomer countered that the Tongass already has thousands of miles of existing roads, and maintaining them is a significant financial burden.

SEACC aims for a strong public turnout at the hearings as a demonstration of support for preserving the roadless rule. The public will also have a separate opportunity to provide comments directly to the Forest Service once the draft environmental impact statement is released.