Biden officials to propose road ban on much of Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

WaPo ^ | 18 November 2021 | Juliet Eilperin

[blueplum]

The move would restrict development on roughly 9.3 million acres in North America’s largest temperate rainforest, according to those briefed on the plan, reversing Trump

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will propose reinstating a Bill Clinton-era rule to ban logging and road building in more than half of North America’s largest temperate rainforest, the department confirmed. The restrictions had managed to stay in place for years because of a series of court battles, but the Trump administration wiped them out last fall.

“Restoring the Tongass’ roadless protections supports the advancement of economic, ecologic and cultural sustainability in Southeast Alaska in a manner that is guided by local voices,” Vilsack said in a statement, adding that the rule reflects the input of Alaska’s tribal and community leaders...

[blueplum]

because economic and cultural stability can be accomplished without roads

Does anyone know if the entire 10 million acres are indigenous tribal land, or is this tribal overreach aided by envirowackos?

[pepsionice]

Back in the late 1990s....the federal government developed a new view...which meant they recognized around 200 Indian tribal units in the state.

This led (in the past couple of years) to 12 regions recognized by the federal government as tribal ‘lands’. This meant transfer of land, from national forests/parks, to tribal lands.

So while the Indian population does make up 15-percent of population...these 12 ‘regions’ now have a significant amount of influence over how lands/roads are developed/maintained.

I don’t think politicians fully understand what they created or how it’ll be increasingly impossible to accomplish things that go beyond the city limits of urban areas. Even national park managers may be shocked at their limited influence on future operations.

[VTenigma]

In twenty years we will get to watch the Tongas burn like Alberta.

[VTenigma]

In twenty years we will get to watch the Tongas burn like Alberta.

[ridesthemiles]

WHEN the forest fires start-— NO ACCESS by firefighters or equipment.

Would think that the FEDS had finally learned that lesson....