Tongass Forest Plan Revision draft assessment report available, more comments sought
Contact Information: Jacqeline Chandler jacqueline.chandler@usda.gov
JUNEAU, Alaska, Jan. 10, 2025 — A 45-day feedback period opens today for the public to weigh in on a draft assessment report from the Tongass National Forest’s ongoing Forest Plan Revision.
Community workshops, tribal consultations and feedback periods began last April, coinciding with agency evaluations of existing ecological, economic, and social conditions and trends across the Forest. The draft report describes conditions, trends and key findings for over 21 topics.
“The release of these findings and the new feedback period are a continuation of our commitment to work collaboratively with tribes, communities, partners, and the public on adapting and updating our Forest Plan,” said Tongass Deputy Forest Supervisor Barb Miranda. “We’re grateful for all the information and perspectives people have shared so far and look forward to receiving more.”
The draft assessment report can be found on the project page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1105492.
A visual summary of the findings from 2024 public engagements is available in the document titled Voices of the Future. It is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1218814.pdf.
The public can submit feedback until 11:59 p.m. (AKST) on Feb. 24, through the web portal at: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=64039.
The Forest Service is seeking factual corrections, other sources of data, sub-topics that people or organizations would like added, or any questions that may remain. Additional feedback will help create the final assessment report.
The revision is a multi-year process to adapt to many significant changes in Southeast Alaska using the best science and Indigenous Knowledge available, lessons learned from 25 years of management under the current plan and from prior community outreach, tribal consultations, and public feedback.
For more information on the process, details on upcoming public engagements or to sign up for the email distribution list, please visit the plan revision website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1105492.
Media: For interviews and information to be used for publication, contact Public Affairs Director Jacqueline Chandler 907-586-8892 or jacqueline.chandler@usda.gov.
About the Forest Service: The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages the 193 million acres of National Forest System land, provides stewardship assistance to non-federal forest landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.
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